CHURCHES
Williams Chapel Baptist Church, Springfield, will celebrate its 138th homecoming day on Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. with guest speaker Jon Fuqua. A special offering for the cemetery fund will be collected.
LEADERS
Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, Paris, recently called Mike Burney as pastor.
DEATHS
Victor Wallace
Retired pastor Victor “Vic” Wallace died Sept. 6, two days short of his 94th birthday. His journey spanned 66 years of gospel ministry in northeast Tennessee during which he served numerous congregations, including Colonial Heights Mission (an extension of Litz Manor Baptist Church), Glenwood Baptist Church (where he was ordained); Fall Creek Baptist Church; Flag Pond Baptist Church; Oak Hill Baptist Church; Fairview Baptist Church; First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs; Pleasant Grove Baptist Church; and his longest pastorate at First Baptist Church, Fall Branch, from 1975 to 1999. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Dorothy “Dot” Wallace and a son. Survivors include two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Former Southern Baptist missionary, educator and pastor Earl Richard Martin died after a 14-month battle with cancer Aug. 23 in Fort Worth, Texas. He and his wife, Jane, joined six other American couples in 1957 who founded Baptist mission work in Tanzania and Kenya. As the Baptist work progressed, they co-founded the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania. In 1977, they transferred to Rwanda to serve among Baptist churches. Most of their missionary service was with the International Mission Board but they also later served with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. His teaching career spanned 50 years and included work at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City. The couple retired to East Tennessee in 1994. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, four children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
First Baptist Church, Gleason, recently honored longtime musician Bobbye Robison. During the Aug. 18 worship service, friends and church members spoke, along with former music ministers who also sang. A reception followed. Many church and community members came to express their appreciation. She has served as a musician for nearly 80 years and is an inspiration to many people. She began playing the piano at 10 years of age. While attending Union University she learned to play the organ which she still plays every Sunday.
