Baptist and Reflector
Gerald Stow stands outside the main offices of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes in Brentwood in 2014. The retired president of TBCH celebrated 30 years of ministry with the institution in 2014. Stow died Jan. 29 at the age of 82.
BRENTWOOD – Gerald Stow, retired president of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, died Jan. 29 after a lengthy illness. He was 82.
Stow led the Brentwood-based TBCH from 1984-99. After his retirement he continued to serve as an “ambassador” for the Tennessee Baptist Convention institution. He was a member of Brentwood Baptist Church.
A native of Dresden County, Stow served two Tennessee Baptist churches as pastor before becoming president of TBCH – South Fulton Baptist Church, South Fulton, and First Baptist Church, Cookeville.
Stow was active in denominational life, serving on the Executive Board of the state convention while in the pastorate. He preached the convention sermon in 1978.
Current TBCH President Greg McCoy noted Stow made a lasting impact on TBCH while serving as president and later as an ambassador under President Bryant Millsaps who retired at the end of 2015.
“Everywhere I go in the state there are people who love, respect, and appreciate Dr. Stow,” McCoy said.
“He has been a tireless advocate for children and families in crisis for more than 30 years now. He has also been a faithful student and proclaimer of God’s Word. My words cannot express how much Dr. Stow’s wisdom and encouragement will be missed by the TBCH family,” he noted.
McCoy noted that when he became a TBCH trustee in 2000, Stow spoke to the new trustees. “I still have the piece of paper on which I jotted down his points. He said that as a trustee we needed to: be informed, be involved, make an investment, and be an inspiration.
“Dr. Stow led by example. He will be greatly missed,” McCoy said.
“Gerald Stow was the epitome of a gracious Christian gentleman,” observed Randy C. Davis, executive director/treasurer of the TBC.
“He was a beloved and effective pastor and those traits carried over into his leadership of Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes,” Davis said.
“Personally, I greatly appreciated the consistent kindness and encouragement he gave me. His absence leaves a great void in Tennessee Baptist life. On behalf of the TBC network of churches, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Stow family and the TBCH family.”
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, three children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held Feb. 6 at Brentwood Baptist Church in the Main Atrium, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m.
