November 1999
Elder Elton Ramey Two Precious members carried Home to be with Jesus Brother Roger Fox Sister Alma Ward Sister Vanell Phipps Sister Bertha Redd Brother Carl Elam
Psalms 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Our merciful Heavenly Father called home one of His dear saints, Sister Bertha E. Redd, on August 23, 1999, from the Heartland Health Care Center in Bedford, Texas. Sister Redd was a beloved member of the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church in Tyler, TX, which she attended after moving from the Dallas area almost nine years ago.
She was born in Dallas on August 26, 1920, to the late Laban B. and Ethel Mae Sweet Kinnard. She grew up in Cedar Hill and Pleasant Grove before marrying Jack Redd, who preceded her in death in 1992.
Her survivors include two sons: Samuel J. Redd of Fresno, CA and David J. Redd of Grapevine, TX; a daughter Mary Sue Redd of Euless, TX; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was also survived by a sister, Kathryn Garner of Garland, TX, and four brothers; Bill Kinnard of Fort Worth, Charley Kinnard of Garland, Joe Kinnard of Fort Worth, and Dr. Paul Kinnard of Wichita Falls, TX, and a number of nieces and nephews. Some of• her nephews served as pallbearers.
Funeral services for Sister Redd were held, August 15, 1999 at the Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens, TX with her pastor, Elder Vernis J. Stanaland, officiating. Some of her favorite songs, Precious Memories, Amazing Grace, and How Sweet to Die, were sung during the service. Burial was conducted at the Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery, east of Athens, where she was laid to rest next to her husband of more than fifty years.
Sister Redd will be sorely missed at the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church. She was a very faithful member and generously supported the church in many ways. She was noted for her ever-present smile, bright twinkle in her eyes, and for never saying an unkind word to anyone. She was a small woman in stature, but was known for her tenacity in being able to build anything from a rock wall around her home, to book shelves for the church in her woodworking shop.
The church will never forget the day she calmly informed our pastor of her obvious abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ that she had been diagnosed with a terminal disease. She continued to attend church until after she had to sell her home and move into a retirement home. She later moved to a nursing home in the Dallas area to be near her family.
However, in all her sufferings for two years she provided a great testimony to her Lord, as she trusted in Him to the very end without any complaints.
Sister Redd was truly a wonderful example and inspiration to her church. To her death, Sister Redd exhibited that lively hope expressed in I Peter 1-3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Respectfully submitted by
E. L. McGee of the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church.
On July 28, 1999 it hath pleased our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom and power to call Brother Carl Elam home to his eternal presence. Although, our hearts are saddened by our loss, we bow in humble submission to His Holy Will.
Brother Carl was a devoted and faithful member of Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, OK for over 26 years, having joined our church by letter from Amber Church, where he had been a member for many years prior.
We thank God for the privilege of knowing this dear brother and witnessing his devotion to his family, his wife, and his church. He will be greatly missed. We extend our sincere sympathy to his loving family.
Brother Carl is survived by his loving wife, Josephine Morris Elam, of 64 years, daughters; Janet Stevenson and Dorothy Angelo, and his son, Randy Elam; brothers, Leonard and A. D.; sisters, Katy Morris, Essie Williams, Edna King, Jewell Bennett, and Lucille Holley; eight grandchildren eight great-grandchildren, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Aug. 2, 1999 in the Smith & Turner Chapel Funeral Home in Yukon, OK with his pastor, Elder Randy McCarthy and Elder Bill McCarthy officiating. Burial was in Yukon Cemetery
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7
Our brother in Christ, Charlie Samuel Rushing, 96, of Josephine, Texas died Monday, May 31, 1999 in Tyler, TX.
Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge, Texas with Elder Owen Rushing, his son, Elder Vernis Stanaland and Elder Larry Webb assisting.
Graveside services followed in Bethlehem Cemetery, conducted by Elder Cecil Johnson under direction of Cantrell Funeral Home of Frisco, TX.
Brother Rushing was born in Climax community on June 10, 1902, the son of the late Samuel H. and Caldona Carter Rushing. He married Mary Frances Webb in Ladonia on Jan. 20, 1929. He was a member of the Farmersville Primitive Baptist Church and had served as a deacon for many years. He was a loving and inspirational influence on his church family, and especially to the young people in the church. He was a blessing to be around.
He was a retired farmer, butcher, and grocery store owner and is survived by his wife, Mary Frances, three sons, daughters-in-law; James C. and Annell Rushing, of Richardson, TX, Edwin and Joyce Rushing of McKinney, TX, and Elder Owen and Frances Rushing of Josephine, TX; a daughter and son-in-law Annie Ruth and James E. Worley of Tyler, TX. He had eleven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were: Bruce Rushing, Keith Rushing, Randy Worley, Les Worley, and Troy Worley. Honorary Pallbearers were: Randy Rounsavall and Roger Clover, grandsons and great-grandsons.
Brother Charlie will be greatly missed by his family and church family.
Done by order of the church while in conference, 8-29-99.
Elder Cecil Johnson, pastor
Kenneth Powell, C. C.
Elder Elton Dee Ramey, 78, was pastor of Gulf Coast Primitive Baptist Church in Alvin, Texas. He was born April 28, 1921 in Gladewater, TX and on July 21, 1999 his spirit left his suffering body to be in peace in the arms of his Savior- What a wonderful place to be!
In 1954 Elder Ramey joined the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas and was baptized by Elder Paul Harris. He was ordained to the work of. the ministry on May 1, 1960, and since then, he ably declared the eternal power, grace and love of God and the Church to all who would listen. In the 39 years of this ministry, he traveled thousands of miles to pastor several churches in Texas.
They were: Friendship Primitive Church of Baytown, Texas, New Providence Primitive Baptist Church, Cameron, TX, Beaumont Primitive Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas, Point Enterprise Primitive Baptist Church, Mexia, TX, Harmony Primitive Baptist Church, Houston, TX, and Gulf Coast Primitive Baptist Church, Alvin, TX.
His gift as pastor and teacher in the service of God was widely recognized. His life demonstrated this love of God. The hope of eternal life he preached about so often changed to reality when he saw his Lord.
He showed a special interest in young people and spoke many times that they were the future of the Church. Small children soon learned which pocket contained the individually wrapped small candy he gave them.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mildred Lee Ramey, children were: Elliot Doyce Ramey and wife, Kim, Linda Rogers and husband, Charlie, Donny Ramey and wife, Charion. Grandchildren: Marsha Ramey Paulson, Matthew and Jessica Ramey, Crystal Dawn and Elliot Daniel Ramey, Jon and Troy Rogers, and three great-grandchildren.
At his memorial service, Brother Jeff Moseley read the eulogy, Elders Andrew Stull and J. R. Hayman preached to the comfort of the family. At the graveside his son, Donny, spoke briefly about family life with his father. He was laid to rest July 24, 1999 in the Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.
Elder Ramey served his country in the Army Air Corps in World War II. and was a member of disabled American Veterans.
We loved him and miss him so much, but by God’s grace we will go on in the service of our Lord, remembering the old paths he pointed out in the Bible many times.
A copy of this obituary will be given to members of the family, and a copy made a part of the church records.
Read and approved while in conference, August 7, 1999.
Elder Andrew Stull, Moderator Sister Thelma Atwood, Clerk
Once again, the Albuquerque Primitive Baptist Church is left with two precious members carried home to be with sweet Jesus.
We are left with memories of a brother, who by the grace of God endured much pain and suffering and taught us the meaning of patience. Our beloved Ray Canterbury passed away on the 27th of March, 1999.
We also are left with the memories or a dear mother in Israel, who taught us to never forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Up until a few months before her death at age 94, Sister Zelta Huff seldom missed a Sunday at church. Sister Huff passed away on the 10th of September, 1999. We are thankful to God for having the sweet fellowship of these dear members, who let their light so shine as to be an inspiration to all who knew them.
Submitted by Brother Jerry Foshee, Albuquerque Primitive Baptist Church.
Elder T. Ray Little, Pastor
Sister Vanell Phipps was called from this life on September 17, 1999. She and her husband, Jerry Phipps joined the Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church by letter on August 8, 1992. She has been a faithful member, and we will miss her presence in the congregation.
She was born Dec. 6, 1919 Burleson, Texas. Vanell lived in Muleshoe since 1950, moving there from Alvarado, Texas. She was preceded in death by a son, James Francis Phipps, two daughters, Eva Mae Phipps and Maxine Phipps Session, also a sister, Evelyn Whicker.
Vanell is survived by her husband, Jerry C. Phipps, and four grandchildren: James Ray. Phipps of Colleyville, TX, Beverly Phipps Bratther of Amarillo, TX, David Alsup of Arlington, TX and Richard Alsup of Amarillo, TX.
Services for Sister Phipps were held at the Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church on Sept. 20, 1999 at 11:00 a.m with Elder Cleveland Bass and Elder Glen Williams officiating. She was laid to rest in the Muleshoe Memorial Park Cemetery to await the resurrection day.
Written by order of the Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church.
Elder Cleveland Bass, Pastor
Jim Collins, Church Clerk
Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church was saddened to lose one of its members on Friday, August 27, 1999 at the age of 61. Brother Fox loved our Lord and Savior, and his short time in the Lubbock Church was a blessing to us all.
Brother Roger Fox was born on June 26, 1938 in Lubbock, Texas. He attended Mountain View College in Dallas. He was a sales person for several carpet mills. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1956 to 1962.
Survivors include a son, Steve Allen Fox of Huntsville, TX; two daughters, Rhonda Robinson of Irving and Carolyn Fox of Lubbock; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren; his mother, Lorene R. Fox of Dallas; two brothers, Louis Fox of Dallas, and Gerald E. Fox of Talkeetna, Alaska.
Services were held at Rix Chapel in Lubbock, Texas on September 1, 1999 with Elder George Johnson, pastor of Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church officiating.
Graveside services followed at Caddo Cemetery the following Friday at 10:00 a.m.
May God add His grace and peace to Brother Fox’s family.
The Portales Primitive Baptist Church of Christ of New Mexico mourns the death of our loving sister, Alma Ward, who left this earth August 17, 1999 in Tucumcari, N. M.
Sister Ward was born Oct. 25, 1918 in Post, Texas. She was laid to rest in the Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. Her funeral service was conducted by Elder Wayne Venable of Clovis, N. M. and Mr. Cliff Miller of Logan, NM.
Sister Alma Ward was a blessing and an inspiration to all of us here at the Portales Church. We felt her love for each of us, and felt her love for the church, and her love for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Sister Alma joined our band here in Portales, NM by relations on Oct. 6, 1996; Sister Alma was the Quay Primitive Baptist Church clerk when they disbanded in March 1993.
We valued her heart-felt singing and enjoyed her presence here at the Portales, Church. Here she is being sorely missed and will be for a long while.
Submitted by Portales Primitive Baptist Church
Elder Wayne Venable, Pastor
Sister Fern Bulls, Clerk