Elder John Conley Macie Stanaland Lankford Hazel Nadine Banwart Sister Elsa Keener Elder D. A. Layne Sammie Redford Goodwin
Elder John Conley was born on November 21, 1951 in Odessa, Texas, and was delivered from this vale of tears on November 25, 2000. Ordained to the ministry in July in 1978 in Midland, TX. Elder Conley served Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Salida, CA near Modesto from 1980 until he came to the Amite Association in 1991 to serve as pastor of Middleton Creek Church, where he served as long as his health permitted.
Elder Conley is missed greatly by all in the Amite Association for his instruction, fellowship and companionship. We thank God , the benevolent Creator of the Universe, for sending him to us and for blessing him to be an ensample to the flock. We ask the Lord to help us to follow in the paths laid out for us and thank Him for the hope He has given us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Humbly submitted by a son in the ministry, Licentiate Tom Griffin [sent unanimously]
[From The Christian Baptist, July/August 2001]
1910-2002
Macie Elizabeth Stanaland Lankford was carried to be with her Heavenly Father, February 10, 2002 at the age of 91 years, nine months and five days. She was born May 5, 1910 in Nacogdoches County to her parents, William Oliver Stanaland and Martha Frederick Stanaland. She was preceded in death by her husband, James K. Lankford; son, Oliver Lankford, Great-granddaughter, Kristy Reeves, one sister, and five brothers.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Tom Crawford Stanaland of Garrison, TX; one daughter and son-in-law, Aline and Ray Hopson of Zavala, TX; five sons and daughters-in-law; James and Frances Lankford of Baytown, TX; Melvin and Olga of Houston, TX; Earl and Lynn Lankford of Sugar Land, TX; Max and Linda Lankford of Houston, TX; and Tommy and Karen Lankford of Channelview, TX; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; a host of friends and her church family.
Joining by letter in 1958, Sister Macie had been a faithful member of the Houston Primitive Baptist Church for approximately 44 years. Besides spending time with her children and grandchildren, her greatest joy was attending church services. She was faithful to attend services as long as her health permitted. This dear sister was a kind and loving lady, always sharing her beautiful smile. She had a special love and understanding for the needs of everyone and especially, the little children.
Sister Macie will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. Her gentle demeanor, wonderful sense of humor, and loving smile were all a mark of this very special Mother, Sister, Friend, and Neighbor. We are so very thankful that we had the privilege to know and be able to worship her Lord and Master with her for so many years.
She was laid to rest beside her husband in Walnut Grove Cemetery, February 13, 2002; there to await the Great day when these bodies will be resurrected and carried to that upper and better Kingdom, where she will be able to sing praises to her Savior eternally.
We bow in humble submission to His will, and pray that His love will comfort the family in their great loss.
Houston Primitive Baptist Church Houston, Texas
Elder Mark Rowell, Pastor
Brother Tommy Atchley, Clerk
Though Sister Banwart lived among us for a short period of time, we learned to love her dearly and were much inspired by her humble devotion to all that the church meant to her. We are assured that the grace she relied on carried her safely home, where she will never again be burdened with the afflictions of this life.
Hazel Nadine Banwart was born to Lee and Ellen Stubblefield, February 24, 1924, five miles west of Dill City, OK. She joined Elk Creek, OK Primitive Baptist Church in 1943, and married Charles Banwart on May 4, 1957. She is survived by six children, four daughters and two sons. Sister Nadine relocated to Fort Worth, TX on Dec. 17, 2000, moved her membership to Old School Primitive Baptist Church.
Though courageous and submissive to heart surgery, God beckoned her to that home above on Feb. 22, 2002.
Elder Norman Jones and Elder Phil Jones spoke words of comfort after which her body was laid to rest in Port Cemetery at Sentinel, Oklahoma to await that happy day of reunion. Many will grieve the loss of this precious sister, but we trust in the Lord's grace and mercy.
Written by request of Old School Primitive Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas by Sister Estelle Wade and Sister Sandy Peart.
On October 12, 2000, the Wanders Creek Primitive Baptist Church lost a precious sister, Elsa Keener. She united with the church on June 26, 1988.
Services were held at the Odell Church on Oct. 14, 2000. Eld H.O. Ballard officiated. Burial was in the Bell Cemetery in Odell, TX. Elsa Keener was born on May 17, 1907 in Melrose, NM. She died in the Westview Care Center in Seymour, TX
She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, a brother, three sisters, her parents, and a granddaughter. She is survived by four daughters; Joan Warren of Dickens, TX; Faye Hollar of Seymour, Patsy Guziak of Hurst, TX, and Linda Cameron of Henrietta, TX; 20 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Sister Keener attended church as long as she was able. She and Brother Keener drove from Henrietta, TX for several years.
It is a comfort to know that she is at home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Eld. H. O., Ballard, Mod.
Anita Patton, C. C.
Dear Brother Richards: I am sending this memorial of my Daddy's funeral, which includes an obituary.
Daddy was a faithful servant for over 64 years. He passed from this life July 12, 2002, just short of 92 years.
Daddy served churches as pastor in California, Oregon, and Washington; during these years, traveling many miles. He was an example to us all, and especially to young men in the ministry, teaching us all that we must be faithful for our gift to benefit the church as it should.
Daddy past this life in his sleep, July 12, 2002 and was buried July 18, 2002.
We sorrow that we'll miss him, but, "Thank God, he is now at rest with his Lord."
God bless you, is our prayer,
Elvin Layne
1910-2002
Elder D. A. Layne was born August 17, 1910 in Washington County, Arkansas. On March 10, 1928, he married Mildred Cook whom he had known since childhood. To this union was born three sons; Elvin, Larry, and Gary and one daughter, Yvonne.
He joined the Primitive Baptist Church in White Oak, Arkansas in 1931. Shortly after joining the Church he began to exercise for the ministry and held regular appointments at various places until moving to California in 1936. He continued to exercise his gift after moving to California and was set apart to the full works of the ministry by Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church of Salida, CA. in May of 1938.
During his ministry he was directly involved in organizing and constituting nine churches in California and Oregon. He also pastored several churches during his ministry and served as pastor of Harmony Church in Hughson, CA for over 40 years and Little Hope Church in Madera, CA where he served since the church was constituted 57 years ago. As a faithful servant he has always been ready and willing to go preach the gospel of His Lord wherever and whenever there were God's People desiring to be fed.
Brother Layne leaves to mourn his wife of 74 years, Mildred; his daughter, Yvonne and her husband, Harley; his three sons, Elvin and his wife, Lou Kathryn, Larry and his wife, Elise and Gary and his wife, Olga.
17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren. Many friends and Brothers and Sisters in Christ all across this great country.
The Valley Spring Primitive Baptist Church was deeply saddened by he loss of one of our precious brothers, Sammie Redford Goodwin, who passed from this life into the hands of His Heavenly Father on February 15, 2002 in Eden, Texas.
Funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Elder Larry Hausenfluke on Feb. 18, at the Heritage Funeral Home Chapel in Brady, TX with burial at Gouldbusk Cemetery in Coleman County.
Brother Sammie was born May 4, 1918 to James and Nancy Goodwin. His father was a Primitive Baptist minister and he spent much of his childhood attending meetings and enjoying fellowship with the brethren. As most long time church members can tell, he was named after a well respected Elder in our faith, Elder S. N. Redford.
Sammie served in the U. S. Army after graduation from high school. He was a highly decorated Tech. Sgt. with the 9th Infantry Division during W.W. II. In August 1945 he joined San Angelo police department and was a motorcycle patrolman until his retirement in Sept. 1981. On April 1953 Sammie married Bettie Murrell and they were faithful companions for nearly 49 years.
Sammie and Bettie joined the Valley Spring Primitive Baptist Church in 1990 by transfer of membership from the San Angelo Church. The Valley Spring Church enjoyed their fellowship for many years until their health prevented them from attending. He always had a smile and twinkle in his eye when he attended church. His upbeat attitude and stories of his life experiences always brought a laugh to those listening. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know Brother Sammie.
Survivors include his wife, Betty of Brady; two cousins; J.C. Goodwin of Wills Point, and Joe Caudle of Arlington; special friends W. A. Gunn of Goldthwaite, and the Newberry families of Floydada, Arlington, and Greenville two nieces, one nephew, and two great nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, M. B. [Jack] and Charles Goodwin; two sisters, Grace Sinz and Vivian Stephens; and his in-laws, B. L. [Pete] and Eva Murrell.
The Valley Spring Primitive Baptist Church bows in humble submission to the will of our Heavenly Father as we bid farewell to our Brother in Christ and submit this Resolution of Respect to the church minutes, one copy to the Banner of Love and one copy to the family.
Written by request of the Church by Brother Jimmy Shook, Clerk, and Sister Nancy Shook.