MAURY CITY, Tenn. (BNc) – Coleman Crocker, 75, of Maury City, and formerly of Union City, died July 3 at his home.

His funeral was Monday, July 5, in the chapel of Edmaiston-Mosley Funeral Home in Union City. Richard McCaskill and Keith Parker officiated, with burial in Fremont Cemetery.

Brother Crocker was born Aug. 27, 1934, in Obion County, Tenn. He married Geraldine Pipkin in 1956, and she survives.

He attended Union City High School, Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University, and held a doctorate in education from University of Memphis.

He was director of Public Relations and Bible professor at Freed-Hardeman University for 14 years and taught in the Tennessee prison system for 20 years. He was a gospel preacher serving churches in Kentucky and Tennessee.

He was minister of the Rives church until his health failed in March of this year. He was also involved in missionary work.

He is also survived by three daughters, Ruth Insell of Alamo, Beth Crocker of Henderson and Lorie McCaskill of Milan; his sister, Wilma Ray of Troy; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lucy Tuttle.

Memorial contributions may take the form of donations to The Coleman Crocker Bible Scholarship, c/o Freed Hardeman University, 158 East Main Street, Henderson, TN 38340 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.

A memorial may be found on Findagrave.com.

This obituary was modified from 1975 Freed-Hardeman Annual Bible Lectureship, page 400 and The Jackson Sun, July 5, 2010.

HENDERSON, Tenn. (BNc) — Julia Faye (Judy) Anderson Flatt, daughter of the late Ben H. and Lucille Elkins Anderson, born Aug. 17, 1940, passed from this life in Nashville June 17.

She was married to Ben S. Flatt, a gospel preacher for the Henderson church for over 17 years.

The Flatts had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Jan. 25.

Besides her husband, she is survived by four children, Tammie Flatt, Ben Anderson (Andy) Flatt (Laura); Lisa Cummins (Ronnie); and Tracy (Lonny) Jones; and six grandchildren, Ben Anderson Flatt, Jr., Elizabeth Flatt; Andrew Cummins; Julia, James, and Jeremiah Jones.

Judy was a member of the Henderson church, FHU Associates and Town and Country FCE.

The photo was taken in Oct. 2009, during a gospel meeting with Ben at the New Hope congregation in Middleton, Tenn.

Visitation will be held Sat., June 19, 11 a.m., until services at 4:00 p.m., at the Henderson church building. The funeral will be conducted by Alan Highers, Milton Sewell and family members.

A second visitation will be held Sunday, June 20, from noon until 3 p.m., at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home, Gainesboro, Tenn. Graveside services will follow in John L. Clark Cemetery, Gainesboro, with Jim Blankenship officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Anderson/Flatt scholarship fund at Freed-Hardeman University. Shackelford Casey Chapel in Henderson is in charge of local arrangements.

Donna Steele, a Freed-Hardeman Associates member, wrote of Judy: “She was the epitome of quiet strength. Her home was always open; her eyes always had a sparkle, and she was always thinking of others.”

An online memorial for Judy has been created at Findagrave.com.

LAKE CITY, Fla. (BNc) —

“She will be missed very much,” wrote Jack Exum Jr. “She suffered almost two years with Altzheimer’s Disease before her death. Now she is in a far better place.”

Funeral services are to be held in Lake City at the Gateway Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Sunday the 20th, at 3 p.m., with Jack Exum Jr., presiding.

The family is requesting that in place of flowers, that a donation be made in her honor to New Horizon church of Christ, P.O. Box 962, Lake City, FL 32025.

The Exums had been married for 61 years. Jack Sr. was a well-known minister and author.

People can watch the funeral on the internet at http://gatewayforestlawn.tzo.com.

JACKSON, Tenn. (BNc) – Charles Edward McDonald, a gospel preacher for over 50 years, passed away at his home in Jackson Mon., May 31.

A funeral service is scheduled in Jackson on Thurs., June 3, with a graveside service at the Winfield City Cemetery on Friday in Winfield, Ala.

Charles was born Feb. 19, 1933, in Winfield, Ala. He was baptized by Raymond H. Crumbliss in Nov. 1945. He began preaching in 1950 while a student at Freed-Hardeman College. He did local work in Springfield, Vt., Munford, Childersburg and Greenville, Ala., Clarksville and Jackson, Tenn., Glasgow, Ky., and Maury City, Tenn.

Charles was a writer for Power for Today, The World Evangelist, Words of Truth, and founding director for North Atlantic Christian Magazine.

Charles was involved in Christian camps at Granderbrook Christian Camp in Gray, Me., Lylewood Christian Camp near Clarksville, Tenn., and Mid-South Youth Camp near Henderson, Tenn..

He was involved in civic organizations. He served as an officer in the Civitan Club and Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the Alumni Board of Directors and Preacher Advisory Committee at Freed-Hardeman.

Charles gave his efforts to building strong local congregations through pulpit preaching, Bible class instruction, personal evangelism, and personal and family counseling. In 2000, Charles resigned local work and did interim preaching for several years.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy McDonald of Jackson; son, Keith McDonald and wife Patty of Bartlett, Tenn; daughter, Charlene McDonald of Birmingham, Ala.; two grandchildren, Ryan McDonald and wife Carrie, Brooks McDonald and wife Cari Beth; three great grandchildren, Dylan, Conner and Brody McDonald. Charles was preceded in death by his first wife, Nell McDonald.

Tom Childers has created a memorial for Charles with several biographical entrees and photographs.

Tom has served as adjutant teacher at Freed-Hardeman University and preaches for the New Hope church, Middleton, Tenn. Sources: Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.), June 2, 2010; Preachers of Today, Vol. 3 and 5; Freed-Hardeman Annual Bible Lectureship, 1980.

Visitation was today (Saturday) at the Stoney Point Church of Christ in Florence, Ala., from 1:00 – 3:00 with funeral following.

If you should wish to send a card to brother Overton, you may send it to 1330 Ridgely Drive, Anniston, AL 36207.

Our condolences to the Overton family in their loss.

HOUSTON, Tex. (BNc) – Micky Bell lost a two-year battle with cancer last evening about 5:30. Micky moved from Nashville to Houston in Jan., 2008, to work with the Jersey Village congregation. He found out he had cancer in June of that year.

Micky’s faith and writings over the last two years have been an inspiration. His family has loved him and stood with him as has the Family at Jersey Village.  He called it his greatest work.

Often in great pain and weak, he preached powerfully up until the last time he was able, 17 days ago.

Micky leaves behind his wife Linda and three children: Micah, Taylor and Aaron.

He spoke on the Freed-Hardeman University Bible lectureship in February on “Paul’s Motivation for Ministry” (2 Corinthians 5:14). He felt honored with the invitation and went to great lengths to make it there.

The address for the church at Jersey Village is 8810 Jones Road, Houston, TN 77065.

Micky dictated a final Facebook post to Linda:

Don’t look for me here. I am no longer trapped in this cancer ridden body. I love you all and thank you for all the prayers and support to me. I am sorry that I did not write this but my wife, who knows my heart like none other, knows what I want said. Now, I can finally say, “I don’t hurt and I’m not tired”. Make sure you are on the right path so that we can all sit down together again. I love you and will be waiting.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Gloria June Hunter Gieseke; a son, Rob Gieseke; two brothers, Bill Gieseke and Ray Gieseke; and two sisters, Lou Soaper and Mary Voss.

Services were at 1 p.m. today at Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville. Burial was at the Unity Cemetery in Graham, KY.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BNc) — Well-known Christian evangelist and author Jim Bill McInteer died on Monday, March 8, according to the website of 21st Century Christian.

Funeral services for McInteer will be held Wednesday, March 10, at 2 p.m. at Brentwood Hills church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Pike, Nashville, Tenn. Visitation opportunities will be on Tuesday, March 9, from 2-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 10 from 12-2 p.m. at Brentwood Hills.

McInteer preached for the West End church of Christ in Nashville for about 30 years. He was the former president and publisher of 21st Century Christian and Power for Today. He also served on the board at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., for many years.

Commenting on the passing of such a giant of the faith, Dale Jenkins said, “One of my heroes died today. Brother Jim Bill McInteer was a prince of a man, a gentleman, a man of God’s Word. Where do you start in remembering this godly man?  He casts a long shadow and in the minds of many he the last of small group of preachers who so strongly influenced our brotherhood – Ira North, Willard Collins, BC Goodpasture, Batsell Barret Baxter and Jim Bill McInteer. His life entered into so many spheres.”

Like Jenkins, many Christians have been influenced by the dedicated service of McInteer. And though he has passed from this physical life, his work and legacy will continue to expand among those who have been touched by his life.

Funeral services were conducted Feb. 22 at the North Brandon church with Milton Sewell and Paul’s son-in-law David Fields speaking.

Bro. Walden was born in Tupelo, Miss., on Sept. 13, 1931. Brother Walden accomplished much for the Lord in his life. He is perhaps best remembered for his work as an interim preacher in the middle Mississippi area, having served a number of congregations in this capacity.

He was serving the Lord’s church at Morton, Miss., at the time of his death. He also did a tremendous amount of mission work in the Caribbean, especially in Cuba. He made many trips to this island, where he taught and baptized hundreds.

Paul leaves his wife Larue, two sons Wayne and Wade Walden and one daughter Rene Walden Fields and eight grandchildren. He also leaves hundreds of grieving friends and brethren.

Paul was a unique, very godly man who had a burning desire for souls. He is already being missed. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them,” (Rev. 14:13).

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BNc) — Dr. Henry Farrar, long-time medical missionary and surgeon collapsed while working at Carthage Hospital on Feb. 17, and as a result suffered a serious spinal injury. He was taken to the St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, where he died on Feb. 22 at 1:25 a.m.

Dr. Farrar was the founder of the Nigerian Christian Hospital, served as a board member for Healing Hands International and was an elder at the College Hills church in Lebanon, Tenn. Farrar also spent a year at Chimala Mission Hospital in Chimala, Tanzania and a year at the China Medical University.

In 2005, Dr. Farrar, along with his wife, was made a chief by the people of Asa, Nigeria. Though in his eighties, Henry and his wife Grace continued to travel to Nigeria, escorting teams of American health care professionals and students.

“Dr. Farrar was a tremendous influence for Christ and His cause in Nigeria over a long period of time serving sacrificially and as a tremendous example,” said Dale Jenkins, evangelist and pulpit minister with the Spring Meadows church, Spring Hill, Tenn.

The family has planned two memorial services, one in Lebanon, Tenn., on Feb. 27, and one in Searcy, Ark., on March 1. Details can be obtained at the Caring Bridge website.