LEADERS
Lynn Valley Baptist Church, Elizabethton, recently called Tim Tapp as pastor.
Doe River Baptist Church, Elizabethton, has called Cody Pierce as music minister.
Barry Bouchillon
Michael Garland has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, Watauga.
Elliot Richards
First Baptist Church, Fairfield Glade has called two new ministers. Barry Bouchillon will serve as minister of music. He and his wife, Nancy, are from Mississippi, where he served several churches before moving to Tennessee. Elliot Richards will serve as associate pastor of family ministry and education. Having moved from Michigan with his wife, Lori, Richards is transitioning from a career in secular industry to full-time ministry.
Brandee Vandergriff is the new music director at Forest Hill Baptist Church, Maryville.
CHURCHES
Silerton Baptist Church in Hardeman County will celebrate its 100th year during their homecoming and decoration day Sunday, May 7. The church was founded as Coopers Chapel with M. E. Dodd who later served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention as an early pastor. Guests are welcome.
Solid Rock Baptist Church, Pulaski, will hold a “Dynamic Men of God Conference,” based on John 15:5, on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Featured speakers are Randy C. Davis, Josh Franks and Rusty Smith of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and host pastor Anthony Bledsoe. The event is free and brunch and lunch are provided.
DEATHS
Eric McLemore
Eric Ryne McLemore, pastor of Northside Baptist Church, Milan, for the past six years, died Feb. 17 at the age of 34. McLemore wore several hats in the community. He was president of the Milan Ministerial Association and was a funeral assistant with Bodkin Funeral Home. A former college baseball player, he also served as an assistant baseball coach for Bradford High School. He is survived by his wife, Leah, and three daughters.
Douglas Eugene Downing, retired pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church, Springfield, died Jan. 19 at the age of 95. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret. He is survived by a daughter, seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Shirley Prince Evans, of Smyrna, wife of retired pastor Frank Evans, died Jan. 16. She was 86. She is survived by her husband, Frank a son and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ronald “Ronnie” Charles Whitten, Sr., retired pastor of churches in Tennessee and Indiana, died Jan. 4, at the age of 80. He served as pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church, Trenton, and Middlebrook Pike Baptist Church, Knoxville. He is survived by his wife Joyce, two children and five grandchildren.
EVENTS
A homecoming will be held for all summer staff who served at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center on June 1-4 at Ridgecrest. For information, visit https://ridgecrestconferencecenter.com/events/.
