Ralph David Underwood dies at 81
February 16, 2010
FLORENCE, Ala., (BNc) — Ralph David Underwood, 81, of Florence, Ala., passed away Feb. 12. He was born in 1928 in Colbert County, Ala., to Robert and Elizabeth Underwood.
Underwood earned degrees from Freed-Hardeman College, Harding College and Harding Graduate School of Religion.
He began his preaching ministry at age 20. He ministered throughout the U.S. and held full-time preaching positions in Comanche, Okla., Germantown, Tenn., and Sheffield, Ala.
He served as a missionary throughout the Caribbean and in West Africa and served as an elder at Chisholm Hills Church of Christ in Florence, AL for 25 years. Underwood was also Professor of Bible at Heritage Christian University for 35 years. Read more
Willard Tate has gone home!
February 16, 2010
by Jerry Lawlis
ABILENE, Tex. (BNc) – Willard Tate was special! When we began the Red River Family Encampment in 1987, one of the very first speakers we invited was Willard Tate. Willard was already well known among us as an ex-coach, faithful Gospel Preacher, and entertaining/motivational speaker. He was in high demand from coast to coast.
He did not know me from Adam…he certainly knew nothing about RRFE since that was to be our first year of existence. Yet, he graciously accepted my invitation when he could have gone so many places and earned good money. He came, he inspired, he entertained (who can forget the joke-telling contest between Willard and George Goldtrap, the MC for the Amazing Grace TV program, in the parking lot of the Ponderosa Lodge?!). He endeared himself to all the campers that first year, and for the next 20 years he made RRFE one of his priorities. Read more
Jack Hardeman Exum Sr., dies
February 14, 2010
contributed by Glenda Williams, BNc correspondent
LAKE CITY, Fla. (BNc) – Jack Hardeman Exum, Sr., 81, died Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Lake City Medical Center.
He was a native of Nashville, Tenn., the son of the late Fred E. and Alma Jewell Selley Exum.
Exum moved to Lake City, Fla. in 1993, from Royston, Ga. He was a member of the Central church (New Horizon church of Christ, where Jack Exum, Jr. is the minister).
Exum was a retired minister, an author of more than 39 books and a recipient of an Amy Award for religious writing. He also wrote a column that appeared in the Lake City Reporter each Saturday.
An avid reader, pool player with his friends at Eastside Village, golfer, coach (football and basketball), Mr. Exum enjoyed walking, cycling, fishing and any outdoor activities. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Read more
Carolyn Sanders Benson dies at 69
February 4, 2010
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BNc) – Carolyn Benson died on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 3, in a city hospital. She died minutes before surgery on her shoulders was to have begun.
Carolyn was the widow of Byron Benson, a faithful gospel preacher who died Aug. 24, 2009. They had been married for 52 years. She was 69.
Carolyn was a talented person. She loved to paint. She developed educational material for the Grady, Ala., congregation where she and Byron had labored for 36 years.
She had retired from her position at the Faulkner University Library. Read more
Missionary S. F. Timmerman dies
December 28, 2009
SEARCY, Ark. (BNc) – S.F. Timmerman, a pioneer in French missions, faithful and bold preacher of the gospel, loving husband, father and brother ended his difficult battle with cancer today at noon. He was 92. Read more
Brazil: Christian youth killed
December 2, 2009
RIBEIRÃO DAS NEVES, Brazil (BNc) – The 20-year-old son of a Brazilian Christian couple was allegedly murdered Sunday night, Nov. 30. Luiz Otavio was the son of José Luiz and Bete, long-time Christians, of the Neves congregation.
His funeral was slated for Tuesday morning.
Friends of the family have asked for prayers on their behalf.
Ribeirão das Neves is in the greater metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais.
TX: Preacher’s child drowns
October 23, 2009
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Tex. (BNc) – Jarred Dubacek, the 18-month-old son of Jim and Julie Dubacek, died today in a tragic drowning accident, according to Mark Teske, of Bedford.
Jim is the preacher with the Smithfield congregation in North Richland Hills. Julie is the daughter of Dave and Debbie Miller.
“Please remember the family in your prayers as they deal with this horrible tragedy,” Mark added.
Lindsey Warren dies
September 26, 2009
HENDERSON, Tenn. (BNc) – Lindsey D. Warren died Thursday, September 24, at the age of 59.
Warren was the son of the late Dr. Thomas B. and Faye Warren.
Warren received his Phd in Communications at the University of Oklahoma. He formerly served as Campus Minister for the University of Tennessee at Martin and at Freed-Hardeman. He preached for 20 years at the Northeast Church of Christ in Moore, Oklahoma. In 2000 he began working at Freed-Hardeman University as Professor of Speech.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Susan Warren of Henderson, TN; a son, Thomas Bart Warren and wife Laura of Ramer, TN; two sisters, Karen Waters and husband Mike of Arlington, TX and Jan Coleman McCoy and husband Ron of Jonesboro, AR; two twin grandsons, Loukas and Titus Warren; and a host of friends. Read more
Minister Byron Benson passes away
August 26, 2009
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BNc) – Byron L. Benson, Sr., died Monday, Aug. 24, at age 70.
Benson was a minister of the gospel, having preached for nine years at Mt. Pleasant church in Crenshaw County, 36 years at the Grady congregation and at the Capitol Heights church for the past five. Read more
Brazil supporter JoAnn Scruggs dies
July 29, 2009
JoAnn Scruggs, ardent supporter of the work in northeastern Brazil, died Wednesday, July 22.
She participated in many evangelistic campaigns to Brazil and supported a school for underprivileged children. Read more