September 2001
LORETTA RUTH LOVETT BROTHER EDWARD P. PITTMAN SISTER LULA NORMA OZMER
MARJORIE PINKERTON TIPTON RUBY K. BARR BROTHER GRADY McCORKLE
SISTER EVIE REBECCA COOK BROTHER VIRGIL ELMO PATTON JERRY PHIPPS OPAL EARL VANDIVER
On July 29, 2001, our dear Brother, Opal Earl Vandiver passed from this temporal life into that eternal realm of unending glory. There his soul dwells until it shall be reunited with his glorified body in the great resurrection morn. He is now present with His Lord whom he loved and served so faithfully as a deacon in the Fairview Primitive Baptist Church at Clovis, NM until his health failed.
Brother Opal was born May 6, 1915 in Danville, AR to Charlie and Alice Vandiver. He was the oldest of six children. During his life, he was a farmer and worked many years in the copper mines in Ajo, Arizona and Tyrone, NM where he retired. After retiring he moved to Clovis, NM in 1983 where they made their home. Brother Opal was a peace loving man, faithful to his home church, and loved to travel with his dear wife, Geneva, to church meetings in various states. He was ordained a deacon by the Clovis Church on May 1, 1987 and served faithfully, willingly, and peacefully in that office until his death.
Officiating at the funeral and graveside services were Elders George Johnson, Bernard Gowens, and Vernon Venable. Elder Cleveland Bass led the songs with congregational singing. Brother Opal was interred at the Portales, New Mexico Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Geneva Vandiver, a son, Earl Vandiver and wife, Shirley Jean of Clovis; two daughters, Patsy Short and husband of Truth or Consequences, N.M., and Shirley Chandler and husband, Fred, of Silver City, N.M.; two sisters, Naomi Black of Clovis, and Janelle Pershall and husband, Harold of Kingman, AZ. He alsoleaves to mourn his passing, eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Brother Opal was an honest and a strong faithful man of God with great integrity, which he never relinquished even in the midst of much suffering and physical affliction in his later days. He was sound in the faith and touched many lives and hearts with great love, affection, respect, and tenderness His dear wife, family, and friends will miss him here below, but they rejoice in the knowledge and reconciling comfort that he dwells in Heaven with his Lord reaping the benefits of God's promises and glory.
This is humbly submitted to the Banner of Love.
Written by Elder Bernard Gowens, his former pastor.
Loretta was born in Joplin, MO. on March 6, 1930. She was adopted by Elder and Mrs. W. A. Garrett when she was three weeks old and brought to Tulsa, OK where she lived the remainder of her life.
She graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1947. She joined the Primitive Baptist Church in 1947 and was baptized by Elder O.E. Odell. She remained a member of this Church as long as she lived and was a firm believer in the doctrine of salvation by the sovereign Grace of God.
Loretta was married to Joe Lovett on June 7, 1952. To this union was born four children; Joseph W. Lovett of Midland, TX, Gary Lee Lovett, Sr. deceased, Brenda Ruth Bulick of Tulsa, OK, and Larry Wayne Lovett of McAlester, OK. Also six grandchildren; Amy Bulick, Victorville, CA, Nicholas Bulick, Gary Lee Lovett, Jr. and Jimmy Lovett, all of Tulsa, OK; Leigh Ann Lovett, and Lucas Lovett of Claremore, OK. Loretta is also survived by a host of friends and relatives.
Loretta departed this life on May 11, 2001, making her stay on earth 71 years, two months, and five days. She was a loving and devoted wife and was loved very dearly by her husband and family, who are left to mourn her passing. We will miss her very much, but we realize she is free from suffering and is in the presence of our Savior awaiting for the resurrection of her body when she will live in sinless perfection forever.
We, her natural family, look forward also to being with her in that beautiful city called Heaven, where we will live forever in sinless perfection and sing praises to Christ our Redeemer.
Written by Sister Emma Denton by order of New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, Broken Arrow, OK. while in conference.
Elder Mark Green, Pastor
Lavene Neal, Church Clerk
The church of Mountain View, OK bows in humble submission at the loss of our dear brother in Christ.
Brother Ed joined Mountain View Church Jan. 14, 1979 by relation. Brother Ed will certainly be missed by our church and the surrounding churches of this area.
He served in the Navy during World War II, and his ship was sunk and he received a Citation for helping save some of his shipmates.
He married Nina West December 23, 1945 in Hobart, OK. There they established their home, and opened an appliance store and farmed south of Hobart until retiring.
He is survived by his wife, Nina, one son, two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Be it resolved: We send a copy to the Banner of Love, one for our church records and one for the family.
This approved while in conference.
Bethesda Primitive Baptist Church
My Brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations:
Knowing this, that the trying of our faith worketh patience. James 1:2-3
While enduring many years in a nursing home, sister Lula Norma Ozmer's life continued to exemplify a woman of joy and patience. Although her body was frail and weak her strong faithful spirit sustained her. She was a wonderful example of joy and gratefulness to us all, never murmuring nor complaining.
Sister Ozmer's countenance beamed with love as she sang the old songs of Zion. She never seemed to tire of them and when asked which ones she would like to hear, her answer was always the same, "anything, they are all my favorites." Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as she listened to them.
Sister Lula Norma Ozmer was born June 9, 1913 and passed from this earth in to the arms of Jesus, April 7, 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brother Johnnie Ozmer and her daughter, Glenda James. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Evelyn and Al Green and Johnnie and Roger Hobson and by her son, Corky Ozmer and daughter in law, Pat. Sister Ozmer was blessed to have eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Sister Ozmer was a charter member of Indian Oaks Primitive Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. Her dear husband, Brother Ozmer, was a deacon.
We greatly miss her and our times of fellowship with her. We are looking forward to singing praises with her again on that Great Resurrection Day!
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30.
We, of the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church, Big Spring, Texas has been saddened by the death of our sister in Christ, Marjorie Tipton, while yet rejoicing that she will no longer have to suffer the pain that she has experienced in the past few years.
Sister Marjorie was born to Robert and Edna Pinkerton on Sept. 11, 1921 at Jester, OK and passed from this life at Big Spring, TX on March 12, 2001, making her stay in this life 79 years and six months. She has been a resident of Big Spring since 1972, moving here from Conroe, Texas.
She united with the Primitive Baptist church in her teens and had held membership in both Stanton and San Antonio Primitive Baptist Churches before moving her membership to Big Spring in August, 1985.
Funeral services were held in the Rosewood Chapel at Nalley-Pickle Welch Funeral Home with Elder Troy Barrington, pastor of Midland Primitive Baptist Church, officiating. Brethren from the Big Spring congregation served as pallbearers.
Our dear sister was then laid to rest in the family plot of the Ackerly Cemetery to await that grand and glorious morning of the resurrection. We are made to think of the beautiful scripture"... to be absent from the body, and to be present from the Lord." [II Corinthians 5:8]
Our hearts go out to her family that are left to mourn her passing: one daughter, Janie Gail Allen, Willis, TX; two sons, Daniel Baker, The Woodlands, TX, and Kenneth Baker, Murrieta, CA; two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, five cousins, and her church family as well as many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Edna Pinkerton.
Be it resolved that we extend our deepest sympathy to her loved ones. And be it further resolved that we place a copy of this resolution on our church records, send a copy to The Banner of Love, and copies to her children.
Written by request of the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church, Big Spring, TX while in conference.
Committee: Roberta Wright and Adele Fleming
Ruby K. Barr, 79, of Waco, TX passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2001, at a local hospital.
Graveside services were conducted Saturday morning, June 30, 2001, at Rosemound Cemetery, Waco, Texas with Elder Harold Horn officiating.
Sister Ruby was born April 27, 1922,in Falls County, TX to Thomas and Jessie Gill. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Regan Gordon Barr. She is survived by her sisters, Avis Gill and Florence Brown of Waco, and Alma Johnson of Lacy Lakeview; five nephews; a niece, as well as many other family and friends who will miss her greatly.
Sister Ruby Joined the Waco Primitive Baptist Church Sept 18, 1995 and was baptized Oct. 16, 1995. She loved attending church and her almost constant smile drew us to her. She no doubt suffered much in her last illness, but didn't complain. Her strength in Christ showed in her countenance until her body gave way to death. Even so, we may say with the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor., chapter 15, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." In Psalms 116:15, David wrote, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Since the death of His saints are precious in His sight, death of the body has no victory, for the spiritual life of the body lives on with the Lord in Heaven until the resurrection morning when even the grave will give up the body to be joined with the spirit and both shall ever be with the Lord. Amen.
Written in behalf of members of the Waco Primitive Baptist Church.
Norman Gowens
Whereas, it hath pleased our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom and power on May 27, 2001, to call Brother Grady McCorkle to His eternal presence, let us bow to His Holy Will.
Brother Grady was a devoted and faithful deacon of Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, OK. He was baptized by Elder Martin Fosshee in May 1933 at the Little Barnett Primitive Baptist Church in Putnam, OK. He joined Bethlehem in August 1945 and was ordained as a deacon on Dec. 29, 1946. He was a wonderful soft spoken and unassuming man; yet, he was a strong and energetic leader who left a very large imprint on his community, family and church. He lived his life fully enjoying and sharing each day as a gift from our Lord. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. We extend our sincere sympathy to his loving family.
Brother Grady was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Cecil. He is survived by his present wife, Fern McCorkle of the home; six children, Bobby G. McCorkle of Gainesville, TX, Regena Johnson and husband, Joe of Midwest City, OK; William McCorkle and wife, Betty, of Tahlequah, OK, Lucy Markham and husband Roger, of Lenexa, KS, Sena Peterson and husband Alvin of Oklahoma City, OK, Grady McCorkle and wife, Danette, of Oklahoma City, OK and a step-son, Steve Fields and wife, Espie of Oklahoma City, OK. He was also blessed with 17 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held May 30, 2001 in the Bill Eisenhour Southeast Chapel in Del City, OK with Elder Bill McCarthy and Elder Randy McCarthy officiating. Burial was in Arlington Memory gardens, Midwest City, OK with Elder Larry Webb officiating.
Therefore, be it resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be placed on our church records, a copy be sent to the family, and a copy sent to The Banner of Love for publication.
Written by order of Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church of Oklahoma City while in conference July 1, 2001.
The Snyder, Okla. Primitive Baptist Church was saddened by the loss of our dear sister, Evie Cook. She was born on March 3, 1905 near Bryan, TX to John Oliver and Georgia Goneer Moniord.
She married Emmett Troy Cook on Feb. 14, 1929 in Hobart, OK. She was a housewife during her lifetime. She worked inside and outside the home, but her family came first. Her mother passed away when Evie was small and she helped her father take care of her brothers.
Sister Evie and Brother Emmett Cook joined the Richland Primitive Baptist Church. She was a member for 65 years.
She was a member of the Good Neighbor's Club; quilting and sewing that started in 1930, helping the needy of the community.
Survivors include daughter, Alma Ballard, son-in-law, H.O. Ballard of Duncan, OK, a daughter, Imer Gene Roberson of Chickasha, OK, six grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
We will miss her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett and a granddaughter, Carol Tinsley.
Funeral services were held on June 21, 2001 at New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, Snyder, OK by Elder Norman Jones, pastor and Elder H.O. Ballard. She was laid to rest in Mountain Park Cemetery.
The Wanders Creek Primitive Baptist Church of Odell, TX submits this resolution of respect for our beloved brother in Christ and deacon of Wanders Creek Church. Brother Elmo was a wonderful leader and example in works that was of benefit to the church; he also had a wonderful gift of prayer. He was always asking what can I do to help!
Brother Elmo united with the church Jan. 24, 1982, and was ordained as deacon, April 14, 1991. He used this office faithfully until his death. Elmo was born June 25, 1922 in Whitt, TX. On June 12, 1954 he married the former Anita Shults in Burkburnett, TX. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and later worked in civil service at Sheppard Air Force Base.
Survivors include his wife, Anita of Wichita Falls; son, Terry Keith Patton and his wife, Suesan of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; brother, Bob Patton and his wife, Glenda of Dallas, TX; two grandchildren, Geneva and Chessie.
Elmo died June 2, 2001 at his home in Wichita Falls, TX. Funeral services were conducted June 5, 2001 in the chapel of Hampton Vaughn Crestview, by pastor, H. O. Ballard and Pastor Conrad Jarrell.
His family and all of the church in Odell, TX feels a great loss and miss him very much.
Pastor H. O. Ballard
we, the Muleshoe, Texas primitive Baptist Church, submit this resolution of respect for brother jerry Phipps. he passed away june 2, 2001 at the age of 97.
Services were held Tuesday, June 5 at the Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Cleveland Bass conducting the services.
Brother Phipps was a faithful member. he and his wife, Vanell, were there each time their health would permit them to be. Sister Vanell preceded him in death in September of 1999. A son and two daughters also preceded him in death.
he is survived by tow brothers. they are Dudly Phipps, of Dallas, and J. D. Phipps of Lubbock. Four grandchildren also survive.
We submit to the Father's will in calling brother Phipps home and extend our sympathy to his family and friends.
By Order of the Muleshoe Primitive Baptist Church while in conference on June 17, 2001.
Elder Cleveland Bass, pastor
Jim Collins, Clerk