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GUY R. WADE
Guy R. Wade (1935-1978) served as pastor of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church in Quincy from 1962 until 1965, Lakeview Church in Tallahassee from 1965 to 1970, and St. Johns Park Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 1970 until 1976. Wade and his wife, Ruth Ann Thomas Wade, had two sons, Guy and Gary.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 3, 1978, p. 6.
F. C. WAITE
F. C. Waite died in 1894. He had served faithfully in the Pensacola Bay Association.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1894, p. 46.
J. F. WALDEN
J. F. Walden (1876-1944) was a life long resident of Dover. In 1897 he married Utah Pass, and he and his wife had five daughters and four sons. Walden served as a Baptist pastor for 40 years. He served primarily in Dover, Balm, Six Mile Creek, and Seffner. He was a charter member of the Dover Church.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, November 23, 1944, p. 9.
S. WALDEN
S. Walden died in 1893 after serving faithfully in the South Florida Association.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1894, p. 40.
SYLVESTER WALDEN
Sylvester Walden (1872-1953) was a life long resident of Dover. He was affectionally known as Uncle Vess. He served as pastor at Turkey Creek, Sydney, Seffner, and other East Hillsborough churches including Dover. Walden married Jessie Simmons. They had one son, Don. Walden died February 5, 1953.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, December 24, 1953.
WILL A. WALDROP
Will A. Waldrop served as pastor of Mount Nelso Missionary Baptist Church in Lake Placid (1987-).
Source: Florida Baptist Witness, June 7, 2007, p. 20.
ALBERT THOMAS WALKER
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Albert Thomas Walker (November 19, 1910) was born at Coffeeville, Alabama. He married Agnes Smith of Ripley, Mississippi, and they attended Clark Memorial Junior College. He graduated from Clark, University of Southern Mississippi (B.S.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D.). He served as pastor in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Walker became pastor of Oak-Griner church in Ocala in 1963. He and his wife had a son, Jerrel, and a daughter, Cheryl Diana.
Secondary Source: James Luffman, A History of Oak-Griner Church,
pp. 101-106.
CHARLES K. WALKER
Charles K. Walker retired in 2002 after 28 years of service with the Florida Baptist Convention. Walker retired December 31, 2002, as manager of the Lake Yale Baptist Assembly at Leesburg. Previously Walker worked as a lab technician for Dixie Lime and Stone Company and manager of Hillside Farms of Florida in Center Hill.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, January 9, 2003, p. 4.
CHARLES NELSON WALKER
Charles Nelson Walker (February 2, 1891-February 17, 1977) was born at Titusville,
Florida. He was the son of John Randall Walker and Hester Elizabeth Swain Walker.
He had two brothers; George and Thomas, and one sister, Frieda.
Walker was converted at age 20, and baptized in July 1911, at First Baptist
Church of Titusville. He was ordained on June 8, 1917. He attended Stetson Academy
and then Stetson University (A.B., 1916). He also graduated from Newton Theological
Institute in Newton Center, Massachusetts (B.D., 1922).
Walker married Nell Flora Kruse in Key West, Florida, on January 9, 1918. They
had three children; Lois (1919), Nell (1922), and Carol (1924). After the death
of Nell Flora, he married Nadine Barclay Walker, and they had three daughters.
Walker served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Homestead, Florida from 1922
to 1938, Bethel in Lakeland from 1938 to 1950, First Baptist Church in West
Scenic Park, Florida from 1951 to 1954, Piney Grove in Cottondale, Florida from
1954 to 1957, and Pleasant Hill in Slocomb, Alabama.
Walker taught at Baptist Bible Institute in Lakeland, and moved with B.B.I.
to Graceville, Florida from 1950 until his retirement. After his retirement
he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Panama City Beach, and Fountain-Green
Hill Community Church in Fountain.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, February 17, 1977, p. 6.
CLIFFORD WALKER
Clifford Walker (1901-1975) served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Chipley
(1938-1943) and First Baptist Church in Garden City )1958-1962). He worked as
superintendent of city missions in Tampa (1943-1947), and as secretary of the
Cooperative Missions Department of the Florida Baptist Convention (1947-1958).
Walker was a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and The Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his wife, Vena
Grace, had one daughter, Mary Ruth.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, December 4, 1975, p. 6.
Joan P. Chance. First Baptist Church, Chipley, 1887-1897. p. 10.
CRAIG WALKER
Craig Walker graduated from The Baptist College of Florida and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (1991). He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fountain, and went as pastor of First Baptist Church, Parker, in 2005. He and his wife, Kim, have three sons.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 24, 2005, p. 11.
DAMON B. WALKER
Damon B. Walker celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination in 1980.
At that time he had served 13 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Belleview.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 7, 1980, p. 6.
E. C. WALKER
In the 1851 Florida Baptist Association Minutes, E. C. Walker was listed as the pastor of Bethesda Church in Wakulla County.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1851, p. 2.
GEORGE WALKER
The 1848 minutes of the Florida Baptist Association Minutes lists George Walker as pastor of Summersville Church in Madison County.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1848, pp. 4-5.
WARREN B. WALL, SR.
Warren B. Wall, Sr. (c1921-2003) died August 21, 2003 at age 82. Wall graduated from Stetson (1949) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a pastor for 15 years and was a prison chaplain for over 30 years in Florida and Louisiana. He and his wife, Florine Meredith Wall, had five children.
Secondary Source: The Alabama Baptist, September 18, 2003, p. 5.
H. HUGH WALTERS
H. Hugh Walters (1916-1995) was born in Ashburn, Georgia. Walters was saved at age 10 and felt God was calling him to preach. He graduated from Bradford County High School in 1936 and was licensed to preach by FBC Starke. He was ordained in 1937.
Walters served as pastor at First Baptist Church White Springs (1943-1950); FBC, La Belle; FBC Ft. Walton Beach; Allendale in Jacksonville; FBC Tenton and retired from FBC Raiford in 1980.
Walters married Irma Graham on August 17, 1941 and they had one daughter, Julia Ann.
Source: Florida Baptist Church of White Springs, pp. 20-21.
JOHN CLAUDE WALTERS
John Claude Walters ( -2004) was born in Tampa, Florida. He served as pastor
of a number of Florida churches. Walters served as director of missions for
Pinellas Baptist Association (1977-1979) and concluded his nearly 40 years of
ministry as assistant executive director of the Florida Baptist Convention from
1983-1989.
Walters and his wife, Mona, had a daughter, Vicki, and a son, David.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, January 13, 2005, p. 4.
P. H. WALTERS
P. H. Walters died in St. Petersburg April 19, 1900. He was born and educated in Germany. He was converted while crossing the ocean in 1869. He united with the Baptist church in 1879, and was ordained to the gospel ministry at St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1894.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1900, p. 41.
DOROTHY WAMBLE
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Dorothy Wamble was born in Bonifay, Florida, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Wamble. Dorothy graduated from Stetson, and received the Master of Sacred Music degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Wamble taught public school music for six years, and then served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi, First Baptist Church in Crestview, Florida, and First Baptist Church in Graceville, Florida. Wamble became Professor of Piano at Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville in 1964, and served there until retirement.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
M. M. WAMBOLDT
M. M. Wamboldt served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 1876-1877. He is mentioned prominently in the 1891 Florida Baptist Convention Annual.
Secondary Source: Belton S. Wall, Jr. A Tale To Be Told, p. 104.
Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1891, pp. 6-7.
D. F. WARD
The Hamilton Baptist Association Minutes of 1893 (p. 10) clearly states that J. N. Reid and D. F. Ward came from Tennessee in 1865 and were primarily responsible for the organization of nearly every church in the association at that time.
Secondary Source Hamilton Baptist Association Minutes, 1893, p. 10.
ELMER W. WARE
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Elmer W. Ware was born in Panama City, Florida. He graduated from Stetson University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Ware was ordained at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, on August 9, 1944. A. L. Carnett and Homer G. Lindsay were on his ordination council. Dr. Ware served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Florida, before joining the teaching staff of Baptist Bible College in Graceville, Florida. He married Judy Dobbins of Birmingham, and they had two children, Judith and Phillip.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 17, 1944, p. 14.
GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT WARE
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General Winfield Scott Ware (April 3, 1854-July 2, 1950) was born near Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia. He moved to Florida in 1866, and knew the struggles of Florida and Florida Baptists as perhaps no other man. He was baptized at age 18 and licensed to preach at age 33. He was ordained in 1887 by the Olustee Baptist Church (now Providence). Ware married Kate McCalla. They are buried in Old Providence Church Cemetery. Pastor Ware served as pastor and missionary in Florida for many years. He served as pastor of Cypress Lake, Bethlehem, Providence (1892), Providence Village (1908), Sardis, New Prospect (now Corinth), Hopeful, Phillippi, New River, Brooker, Oak Grove, Raiford, Bellville (Hamilton Couty), Palatka Heights (Putnam Couty), Pine Grove (Levy County), Bethel (Gilchrist County), Lawtey, Rock Sink, Branford, Perserverance, and Lake Butler.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, July 20, 1950, p. 16.
Minutes of Old Providence Baptist Church, pp. 111-112.
HAROLD WARNER
Harold Warner graduated from Reformed Episcopal Seminary and Trinity College. He served as a full time evangelist for 14 years, and then became pastor of First Baptist Church, Englewood, Colorado. In 1980 he went to Citrus Park Baptist Church in Tampa as pastor.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, January 24, 1980, p. 6.
VANDER WARNER
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Vander Warner graduated from Wake Forest and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He served as president of the 1973 Southern Baptist Convention Pastor s Conference, and preached at the Pastor s Conference in 1965, 1969, and 1972. He served as pastor of Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond, and in 1974 went as pastor of University Baptist Church in Miami.
Secondary Source: 1856 West Florida Baptist Association Minutes.
E. W. WARREN
E. W. Warren is listed in the 1856 West Florida Baptist Association Minutes as an ordained minister living in Apalachicola.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, September 1, 1927, Vol. XL, No. 35, p. 6.
R. W. WATERMAN
R. W. Waterman was born in Massachusetts. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Graceville (1947-1954), and he and businessman, George W. Morrow were the Graceville prime movers in getting Baptist Bible Institute to move there from Lakeland. Waterman was born, raised, and educated in Massachusetts. He was descended on his mother s side from the Coney family, a well known family of educators. He was raised Methodist, and was apprenticed to a firm of New England silversmiths. In 1922 he married Clara Watson of Providence, Rhode Island. In 1926 Waterman was struck by an illness that appeared to be terminal. He was seriously ill for one year, and it was out of this crisis that he was called to preach. He and Clara moved south because of his health needs, and he became pastor of the Baptist Church in Hazelhurst, Georgia. He served also at Baxley, Kingsland, Folkston, and Jessup in Georgia before going to Graceville in 1947. Upon leaving Graceville in 1954, Waterman became pastor of Eagle Lake Baptist Church in Winter Haven.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 31, 1949, p. 5. Graceville, Florida. A Personal History, pp. 77-81.
HUGH H. WATERS
Hugh H. Waters served 12 churches in 39 years as pastor. He retired in 1980 after serving five years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Raiford.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, July 17, 1980, p. 6.
GENE L. WATERSON
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Gene L. Waterson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crestview from 1960-1967. He left Crestview to become pastor of the Murray Hill Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Secondary Source: History of First Baptist Church, Crestview, p. 22.
TOMMY WATSON
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Tommy Watson served as pastor of First Church of Perrine from 1960 until his retirement in the ministry. In 1980 he celebrated his 20th anniversary at Perrine.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, October 9, 1980, p. 6.
DOUGLAS WATTERSON
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In 1958 Douglas Watterson left West Point Baptist Church in West Point, Kentucky, to become pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna where he served from 1958 to 1964. Watterson left Marianna to become pastor at Vero Beach.
Secondary Source: Leitch, Christ Centered Century, pp. 33-42.
CHASTAIN VALENTINE WAUGH
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Chastain Valentine Waugh was a native of Manchester, Virginia. He was the son of Andrew and S. F. Waugh. He was converted in 1865, and baptized in February 1866, by W. E. Hatcher. Waught felt the call to preach from the time of his baptism, but had few education opportunities. He self taught Greek, Latin, and music composition. He did attend Richmond College, but poor health plagued his formal education efforts. He was ordained March 9, 1873, and studied at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina in 1874. He worked as pastor in Virginia before moving to Florida in 1876. Upon the recommendation of J. H. Tomkies, the first pastor of the Gainesville Baptist Church, Waugh succeeded him. In November 1878, Waugh married Fannie Howard McGill of Covington, Kentucky. Waugh died in Jacksonville in 1934.
Secondary Source: Compendium of Georgia Baptists, pp. 565-567. George C. Osborn. The First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Florida, 1870-1970, pp. 3-6. Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1935, p. 7.
WALLACE WEAR
Wallace Wear served as pastor of First Baptist Church Lakeland from 1914-1918.
Secondary Source: Alice M. Muir, A Historic Sketch, pp. 20-22.
MARK WEAVER
Mark Weaver graduated from Stetson University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Calvary Church, Arcadia (1975-1980) before going as pastor of Pinecrest Church, Sanford in 1980.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, October 2, 1980, p. 6.
CHARLES A. WEBB
Charles A. Well served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Live Oak from 1965-1980. He retired in January 1980, and entered an interim ministry by serving at First Baptist Church in Tavares.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, February 28, 1980, p. 10.
WILLIAM P. WEBB
William P. Webb is a native of Orlando and celebrated his 50th anniversary in the ministry on March 14, 2004. He graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and served as a U. S. Army chaplain from 1967-1993. Webb served as pastor of Park Avenue Baptist Church in Winter Garden, Westside Baptist Church in Lakeland, First Baptist Church in Waverly, and Bethany Baptist Church in Plant City. For the past ten years Webb has served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Ridge Manor. He and his wife, Linda, have three children.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 11, 2004, p. 10.
BOBBY WELCH
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Bobby Welch was born in Fort Payne, Alabama. He has been pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach since 1974. He is a decorated Viet Nam veteran, and a graduate of Jacksonville State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Welch and Doug Williams created the FAITH evangelism strategy that is used widely across the Southern Baptist Convention. He served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1989 and as President of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2004-2005. He and his wife, Maudellen, have two children, Matthew and Haylee.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, July 3, 2003, pp. 1,4.
Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
J. R. WELLS
J. R. Wells served in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. He served as pastor of 46 different churches in his ministry (24 churches in Alabama, 19 in Florida, and 3 in Georgia). In Florida, Wells served as pastor of the First Baptist Churches of Wauchula, Frostproof, Kathleen, and Auburndale. Wells and his wife had four sons and one daughter. Wells was known for his Bible prophecy conferences and led these meetings in over 250 different churches in the tristate area. He died in Lakeland on April 26, 1945.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, May 10, 1945, p. 13.
THOMAS A. WELLS
Thomas A. Wells was born in Gowanda, New York, but lived in Tampa and Homestead growing up. Jennifer Jones Wells was born in Tampa. He graduated from Baylor (B.S.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She graduated from Norman College and the University of Florida. The Wells were appointed to work in Korea in 1980 with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, October 30, 1980, p. 7.
J. H. WENTWORTH
In 1877 J. H. Wentworth was pastor of six churches in the Florida Association. He died in 1893 after serving faithfully in the Pensacola Bay Association.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1894, p. 40.
Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1877, p. 15.
KENNETH WESTBROOK
Kenneth Westbrook graduated from Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served churches in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. Westbrook served as Director of the Pastoral Ministries and Church Growth departments of the Florida Baptist Convention. In 1997 Westbrook became pastor of Northwest Baptist Church in Gainesville, and he retired in 2006. He and his wife, Linda, moved to Jacksonville in retirement to be near adult children and grandchildren.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 30, 2006, p. 14.
HUEL GRADY WHEELER, SR.
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Huel Grady Wheeler, Sr. (March 18, 1891) was born in Arab, Alabama. He was a
graduate of Howard College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He
married Mary Fitzgerald Griggs of Marlbury, Alabama, and they had three children.
Wheeler served as a Baptist pastor for over 40 years in Alabama,
Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church
Ocala, Grace Baptist Church in Clermont, and Webster Avenue Baptist Church in
Lakeland. He retired in 1956 and served numerous interim pastorates in central
Florida.
Secondary Source: James Luffman, A History of Oak-Griner Church,
pp. 86-87.
RICHARD WHEELER
Richard Wheeler received the M.A. degree and the Doctor of Education degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in banking for ten years and served as associate pastor of Mandarin Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 2000-2003. In 2006 Wheeler became director of the Office of Leardership Development of the Florida Baptist Convention.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, November 23, 2006, p. 4.
VERNON WHEELER
Vernon Wheeler (1929-1982) served as pastor in Georgia and Florida. His Florida pastorates included Hopewell Baptist Church in Madison County, and Lamont Baptist Church in Lamont from 1976 to 1982. He and his wife, Jimmie Nell Wheeler, had two daughters, Susan and Laura, and one son, Sam.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 4, 1982, p. 6.
Z. G. WHEELER
In 1845 Z G. Wheeler was pastor of Union Baptist Church in Jefferson County, Florida. In 1860 he was pastor of Au Cella in Jefferson County, Florida and Shiloh in Madison County, Florida.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1845,
p. 8; 1860.
B. W. WHILDEN
B. W. Whilden served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 1873-1875.
Secondary Source: Belton S. Wall, Jr. A Tale To Be Told, p. 104.
HARRY ALTA WHIPPLE
Harry Alta Whipple (1896-1944) was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His family
moved to Oakland, California where he grew up on the Pacific Coast. He served
as a Lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps in World War I. He married Mazie Christopher,
and they had five sons; Harry A. Jr., Richard, Gary, David, and Danny.
In 1926 the family moved to Florida. Whipple was converted in 1932 while in
the hospital at Key West. He became assistant pastor of Opa Locka Baptist Church
in Miami, and then became pastor of West Little River Baptist Church in that
city. He died on April 5, 1944.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, May 11, 1944, p. 6.
RICHARD EARL WHIPPLE, SR.
Richard Earl Whipple, Sr. (1925- ) was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Stetson University (B.A., 1952) and Immanuel Seminary of Atlanta (Th.B., 1955; and D.D. in 1955). Whipple served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946. Whipple served as pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church in Miami (1952-1966) and First Baptist Church, Okeechobee (1966-1996). He married Annette Chester Whipple and they have four children; Richard, Randall, Robin, and Rhonda.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
CARL F. WHIRLEYENID PATE WHIRLEY
Carl F. Whirley was born in South Port, Florida, and considered Bagdad, Florida, his hometown. He graduated from Howard College, and received his masters and doctor of theology degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Enid Pate Whirley, had a thirty-three year career as missionaries to Nigeria. Enid Pate Whirley attended Howard College and Woman s Missionary Union Training School. Upon retirement from the mission field (1947-1980) the Whirleys lived in Birmingham where Dr. Whirley taught at Samford University. They had four children.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, November 6, 1980, p. 9.
BILLY W. WHITE
Billy W. White (1947-2006) was a native of North Carolina and served 22 years in the United States Air Force. He served churches in Germany, Idaho, Alaska, and Florida. At the time of his death, he was serving as pastor of Live Oak Baptist Church in Crestview. He and Becky, his wife of 37 years had two daughters, Wendy and Sandra.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, September 21, 2006, p. 13.
JACK WHITE
Jack White is a native of Sebring, Florida. He has served as pastor in Florida and North Carolina. In 2004 White went to First Baptist Church Zolfo Springs as pastor. He and his wife, Linda, have two children.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, June 17, 2004, p. 11.
JACOB LEE WHITE
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Jacob Lee White (September 6, 1862-November 25, 1948) was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina. He was the son of John and Martha White. He graduated from Wake Forest College (B.A., 1881; D.D.). He also received the L.L.D. from Stetson University (1934). Dr. White married Dovie Poston of Shelby, North Carolina, on September 22, 1886. They had nine children; Lee, Hubert, Mable, Royal, J. L. Jr., Charles, Russell, Edward, and Martha. Dr. White came to First Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, in 1916. At that time there were only ten churches in the Miami Association, with a total membership of 1,461. Dr. White lived to see the association grow to 43 churches and 19,792 members. First Baptist Church in Miami organized July 26, 1896, with sixteen members. W. E. Stanton and John A. Wray served as pastors before Dr. White arrived. In time First Baptist supported 55 foreign missionaries, and organized seven new churches in the Miami area. They organized Stanton Memorial, Riverside, Southside, University, Opa Locka, Miami Beach, and West Temple. Dr. White served some of the most influential churches of his day as pastor. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina; First Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia (1895-1906); First Baptist Church, Miami (1916-1936); and the Mable White Memorial Baptist Church of Macon; First Baptist Church, Miami, was renamed Central Baptist Church in 1936. The Mabel White Church in Macon was named as a memorial to his daughter Mable. Dr. White started the Mabel White Church as a mission. Dr. White served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention (1924-1924), as a member of the Foreign Mission Board (1918-1935), as trustee at Bessie Tift College (1895-1905) and as a trustee at Stetson University (1925-1947). Dr. White preached the Southern Baptist Convention annual sermon in 1934 at Washington, D.C. His four minister sons sat on the platform as he preached.
Secondary Source: Martha L. Reiner, Belief in The City, p. 21.
JAMES WHITE
James White served as pastor of Lake Arbury Baptist Church from 1993-2000. He and his wife, Sandra, had two children, Jennifer and James.
Source: Florida Baptist Historical files
JAMES L. WHITE
James L. White died December 9, 1949. He was one of the four preacher sons and the name sake of Dr. Jacob Lee White (1862-1848) who served so faithfully at First Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. White served as pastor in Virginia and North Carolina. His son was James L. White III. James L. White also served as football coach at the University of Florida in the 1920s.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, December 22, 1949, p. 13.
JOE W. WHITE
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Joe W. White (1869-1950) died in a Dothan, Alabama hospital on December 9, 1950. He was a native of Jackson County and served many churches in the Graceville area. White encouraged all Jackson County churches to give and to witness.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, June 22, 1944, p. 4; December 21, 1950, p. 13.
JOHN J. WHITE
John White served as pastor of Bethesda in Geneva County, Alabama, in 1878.
Secondary Source: West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, p. 8.
T. W. WHITE
T. W. White died in 1919. He was a member of New Hope Church in the Peace River Association.
Secondary Source: Peace River Association Minutes, 1920, p. 17.
W. RALEIGH WHITE
W. Raleigh White was a native of Askewville, North Carolina. He graduated from Shenandoah Junior College, Richmond University, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He came to Florida in 1920, and served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake City (1920-1923). He then became pastor of First Baptist Church in Plant City.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 18, 1927, p. 11.
R. H. WHITEHEAD
R. H. Whitehead served as a Baptist pastor in Florida and died in Palmetto on July 23, 1912.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1912, p. 93.
H. WHITEHURST
H. Whitehurst was pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church in Jefferson County in 1845. The Hopewell Church was in the Florida Baptist Association.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1845, p. 8.
W. W. WHITFIELD
W. W. Whitfield served as a pastor in Florida and died in 1909.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1910, p. 74.
JACK D. WHITSON
Jack D. Whitson (1930-1976) died of a heart attack while serving as pastor of
Delaney Street Baptist Church in Orlando. He was a native of Esserville, Virginia,
and a graduate of East Tennessee State University, and The Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as pastor of First Baptist
Church, Etowah, Tennessee, for seven years before going to Delaney Street.
Whitson and his wife, Martha, had four children; Elaine, Fred, Beth, and Bill.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, July 22, 1976, p. 6.
JOHN HOWARD WHITT
John Howard Whitt died April 21, 1974, in Starkville, Mississippi. He served
for 11 years as a director of missions of several associations on the west coast
of Florida.
Whitt was a native of Tennessee, and a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as a foreign missionary to Burma,
and was pastor of churches in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, May 30, 1974, p. 15.
KEN WHITTEN
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Ken Whitten (1954- ) has served as pastor of the Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa since 1989. The 8,000 member church has purchased 143 acres in Northwest Hillsborough County, and plans to relocate there. Whitten served as associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Casey, Illinois (1977-1979), and then as associate pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church in Jacksonville (1979-1982). He served on the ministerial staff of Bellevue Baptist Church (1982-1989) before coming to Tampa. Whitten served as President of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1995, and has served in numerous state and national denominational posts. Whitten married Ginette (Ginny) Vincent on August 21, 1976, and they have four children and one grandson.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
Florida Baptist Witness, September 9, 1999, p. 14; September 30, 2004, p. 15.
A. D. WHITTLE
A. D. Whittle served as pastor of Smyrna in Henry County, Alabama, in 1870 in the West Florida Baptist Association.
Secondary Source: West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1870 ,p. 9.
LLOYD N. WHYTE
Lloyd N. Whyte (1918-1998) was a graduate of Miami Edison High School, the University of Miami, and Colgate-Rochester Divinity School. He was pastor of Shenandoah Baptist Church in Miami for 21 years, from 1944 to 1965. He then served with the North American Mission Board in Miami from 1965 to 1983. He lived in Coral Gables for more than 60 years. He and his wife, Laura, had a daughter, Candace, and a son, Richard. Whyte lived in Florida from 1935 until his death. He and Earl Joiner probably did more for Southern Baptist-Jewish relations than any other Baptists in Florida.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, October 1, 1998.
Maurice Smith, A History of Southern Baptist/Jewish Relations. Florida Baptist Historical Society. May 1988.
HAYES WICKER
Hayes Wicker serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Naples. Wicker and his wife, Janet, met as students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They have three children; Evan, Allison, and Kristen.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, 1896, October 23, 2003, p. 4.
MARK WILBANKS
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Mark Wilbanks is a graduate of the University of Georgia and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville (1985-2002) and went as pastor of First Baptist Church in Bradfordville in 2002. He and his wife, Him, have two sons.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, July 18, 2002, p. 10.
RICHARD WILHELM
Richard Wilhelm (1942-2006) served as pastor of Pine Grove Church, Mulberry, and in 1980 went as pastor of First Baptist Church in Mount Dora. He also served as pastor of FBC Sorrento and FBC Zellwood. He and his wife, Martha, had two sons: Tim and Matt.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 28, 1980, p. 6. November 30, 2006, p. 6.
RICHARD WILHELM
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Richard Wilhelm served as pastor of Pine Grove Church, Mulberry, and in 1980 went as pastor of First Baptist Church in Mount Dora.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 28, 1980, p. 6.
GREGORY A. WILKERSON
Gregory A. Wilkerson (February 15, 1975- ) was born in Bartow, Florida. He attended Atlanta Baptist College (2001-2003). He serves as pastor of Carter s Baptist Church, Lakeland. Wilkerson married Wendi L. Wilkerson and they have two children; Angel and Noah.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
J. D. WILKES
J. D. Wilkes in 1917 was serving as pastor of the Milton Baptist Church. He and twenty dedicated Baptists then started the First Baptist Church of Crestview. Wilkes served as their first pastor.
Secondary Source: History of First Baptist Church, Crestview, p. 14.
CONRAD R. WILLARD
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Conrad R. Willard attended Drury College, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D.) and Central Baptist Seminary (Th.D.). He served as pastor of Central Baptist Church in Miami from 1962 to his retirement in 1983. He served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1967-1968. He and his wife, Lena Mae, served at Calvary Baptist Church in Kansas City before coming to Florida.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, November 17, 1983, p. 6.
Martha L. Reiner, Belief in The City.
ALFRED WILLIAMS
Alfred Williams served as a minister in the West Florida Baptist Association and died in 1866.
Secondary Source: West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1866, p. 13.
CHARLES WILLIAMS
Charles Williams at 73 years of age received his seventh school degree in 2002.
Williams served as pastor of eight churches in Kentucky, Georgia, and Florida.
He received degrees from five different colleges, and at age 73 became the oldest
person to receive a degree through The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
s Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth.
In 1981 Williams organized the Southern Baptist School for Biblical Studies
in Jacksonville, Florida, and served as president.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, January 9, 2003, p. 11.
CHARLES BRAY WILLIAMS
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Charles Bray Williams (January 15, 1869-May 4, 1952) was born near Shiloh, North Carolina, and died in Lakeland, Florida. He is one of those servant scholars who touched the lives of Florida Baptists in his retirement years ministry. Williams graduated from Wake Forest (1891), Crozer Theological Seminary (1901), and the University of Chicago (M.A., 1908; Ph.D., 1909). He served as pastor in Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. He taught at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1905 to 1919, Mercer University from 1921 to 1925, and Union University from 1925 to 1932. He served as president of Howard College from 1921 to 1925. Williams wrote numerous important books but is best known in Florida for his popular Translation of the New Testament, published by Moody Press in 1950. He taught for one year at Baptist Bible Institute in Lakeland in his retirement.
Secondary Sources: Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists, Volume 2,
p. 1501. Edward Star, A Baptist Bibliography, Vol. 25, pp. 159-160.
CLARENCE E. WILLIAMS
Clarence E. Williams served for 20 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Auburndale, Florida from 1953 to 1973. He died December 12, 1973. Williams married Jean E. Williams.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 21, 1974, p. 13.
LANDON L. WILLIAMS, SR.
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Landon L. Williams, Sr., has served as pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Jacksonville since 1976. He is the founder and CEO of Twin Consultant and Associates. He was involved with the International Longshoremen s Association from 1960-1983. He served as International Vice President of the International Longshoremen s Association, AFC-CIO, 1972-1983. Williams has been actively involved in many civic, political, and business associations. He has received certificates of merit and appreciation from over twenty organizations. Williams studied at Luther Rice College and Seminary. He has the doctoral degree from Covington Theological Seminary. He and his late wife, Rosalind P. Williams, had five children.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
LAURIE SMITH WILLIAMS
Laurie Smith Williams (1886-1960) served with her husband, Dr. J. T. Williams, as a missionary to China for 39 years. Williams was a native of Ivey, Georgia. She attended Howard College (B.A.), and the University of Alabama. Before her appointment to the Foreign Mission Board she served as a teacher in the Georgia public schools, and then as a principal of a Baptist school for Spanish-speaking people in Tampa, Florida. She died Friday, April 1, 1960, at Lakeland, Florida.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, April 14, 1960, p. 12.
LOVETTE WILLIAMS
The death of Lovette Williams was reported in the 1875 Alachua Baptist Association Minutes. He was a good and faithful minister.
Secondary Source: Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1875,
pp. 5-6.
MAC JAMES WILLIAMS, SR.
Mac James Williams, Sr. (December 11, 1929-February 8, 1993) was born in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. He started preaching and was licensed to preach at eight years of age. He attended elementary school in North Carolina, and high school at Middleton school in Tampa, Florida. He served in the United States Army, and went to school at Gibbs Junior College in Saint Petersburg (A.A.), Florida Memorial College in Saint Augustine (B.S.), and the International Bible Institute and Seminary in Orlando (Th.M. and D.D.). Williams served as pastor at Beulah Baptist Church in Tampa; Mount Olive in Tampa; Shiloh in Dunedin (11 years); and for 20 years was pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Clearwater. Williams was an innovative Black leader in the Florida Baptist Convention. He had influence in his family, church, state, and nation. He was also very active in international service, ministry, and evangelism. Williams married Rose Watts Williams of Tampa. After her death he remarried, and he and his wife, Naomi, ministered together at Clearwater, and on foreign fields.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
M. M. WILLIAMS
In 1873 M. M. Williams was pastor of Fellowship Church and Indian Springs Church located at Ocala.
Secondary Source: Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1873, p. 7.
N. A. WILLIAMS
N. A. Williams was a physician as well as a preacher. He was strong in the Baptist doctrines, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He died in Dade City in the early spring of 1899.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1899,
pp. 43-44.
OSCAR NATHANIEL WILLIAMS
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Oscar Nathaniel Williams (1855-1923) was born in Bullock County, Georgia, on February 23, 1855. He was the son of Reverend R. N. J. Williams. Williams was educated in private schools in Bullock County, Georgia, and finished his schooling at Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, Georgia. He was educated to be a lawyer but felt the call to preach shortly after finishing school. Williams was called to be a missionary in Eastern Orange County, Florida. He served as pastor of Fort Christmas, Lockwood, Boggy Creek, and New Hope. He was also a farmer and served Pasco County in the Florida Legislature in 1915. Williams married Amanda A. Tucker of Fort Christmas and they had four children; Mabel, Robert, Paul, and Virgil. Oscar Nathaniel and Amanda are buried in the Dade City cemetery.
Secondary Source: Audry O. Hendry, Bethany Baptist Church 1888-1988, pp. 30-31.
WILLIAM M. WILLLIAMS
William M. Williams in 1873 served as pastor of Fort McCoy in Fort McCoy and Mt. Arnon in Flemington in 1873. In 1875 he preached the introductory sermon at the Alachua Association at Staffordsford church.
Secondary Source: Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1873, p. 7; 1875, p. 3.
S. WILLIFORD
S. Williford served as pastor at Memphis Baptist Church in Henry County, Alabama, in 1876.
Secondary Source: West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1876, p. 8.
H. WESLEY WILLIS
H. Wesley Willis (1928-1992) died in a boating tragedy in the Suwannee River while serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Cross City (1987-1992). Willis served 43 years as a Baptist preacher in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. He and his wife, Eugenia, had one daughter, Ruth, and two sons, George and John.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, October 29, 1992, p. 10.
PAUL WILLIS
Paul Willis (1853-1892) was from Levy County. He served as presidentof the Florida Baptist Ministers Conference. Willis was a much belovedminister and died at age 40. Willis served as moderator of the Alachua Baptist Association from 1887-1889.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist State Convention Annuals, 1891, 1893. Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1892, p. 7.
JOHN WILMER
John Wilmer served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pensacola in 1875.
Secondary Source: Toni Moore Clevenger. On the Bay On the Hill,
pp. 67-68.
A. WILSON
In 1867 A. Wilson was pastor of Alafia Church and Tenotassa Church in Hillsboro County, and Bethel Baptist Church in Polk County.
Secondary Source: Alachua Baptist Association Minutes, 1867, p. 8.
EARL L. WILSON
Earl L. Wilson (1926-2006) died June 3, 2006 in Greer, South Carolina. He served as Director of Missions in Royal Palm Baptist Association, with offices in Ft. Myers from 1981-1987. He and his wife, Helen of 59 years, had two sons; David and Dennis.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, June 29, 2006, p. 14.
H. D. WILSON
H. D. Wilson (1878-1962) heard Austin Crouch preach and surrendered to the call to preach. He was ordained by the Baptist Church at New Albany, Mississippi. He attended Mississippi Normal College, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Wilson served as pastor in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. He served at First Baptist Church in Bagdad, Florida, and also in the St. Petersburg area.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, January 25, 1962, p. 12.
HERNANDO DESOTO WILSON
Hernando DeSoto Wilson (January 30, 1877- ) was born near French Camp, Mississippi. He was the son of Joel and Mary Flowers Griffin Wilson. His father was a farmer-minister and his mother was a housewife. He had three brothers; Clifton (1874), Dallas (1878), and Webster (1887), and four sisters; Emma (1872), Rosa (1880), Mable (1883), and Helena (1885).
Wilson was raised at French Camp, Mississippi, and attended Mississippi Normal College (A.B., 1898), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th. G.).
Wilson was converted at age 15, and baptized into the Bethsaida Baptist Church in Montgomery County, Mississippi. He was ordained on June 21, 1908, at First Baptist Church of New Albany, Mississippi. Wilson served ten churches as pastor. Brantley, Gantt, Alabama (1909-1913), Northport at Holt, Alabama (1913-1917), Cuba at York, Alabama (1918-1920), Centerville at Brent, Alabama (1920-1922), Wiggins, Mississippi (1922-1925), Shubuta, Mississippi (1925-1929), Bagdad, Florida (1930-1940), 1946-1952), Norwood Church in St. Petersburg (1940-1944), and Safety Harbor Church in Safety Harbor, Florida (1946-1952).
Wilson married Wanda Jane Walker on September 27, 1911, at Rutledge, Alabama. They had four children; Lucy (1912), Mary (1915), Joel (1918), and Florence (1928). He is buried at a cemetery in Milton, Florida.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files. Letter from Ruth F. Dailey dated April 23, 2007.
PAT WIMBERLY
Pat Wimberly (1909-1983) served the Florida Baptist Convention as state evangelist. He also served as pastor of numerous Baptist churches in Florida. Churches that he served as pastor include Laurel Hill, Barton Lake, and Miller Memorial in Orlando; Franklin Street, Murray Hill, Silver Glyn, and Caleb in Jacksonville; Main Street in Leesburg; North Central in Gainesville; Coconut Grove in Miami, and First Baptist Churches of Venice and Osteen. Wimberly and his wife, Dorothea, had two daughters, Virginia and Dorothy, and three sons, Pat Jr., Jay, and Fred.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, February 24, 1983, p. 6.
JEFF WITT
Jeff Witt served on the church staff of Lake Forest Baptist Church in Jacksonville before becoming pastor of Palm Valley Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, July 29, 2004, p. 11.
ROBERT WITTY
Robert Witty (1906-2007) born in 1906, celebrated his 100th birthday at Mandarin Baptist Church in Jacksonville in 2006. Witty probably influenced the way Southern Baptists do seminary education more than anyone else alive. He served as pastor of Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 1962-1982, and headed Luther Rice Seminary from 1962-1982.
Dr. Witty was saved in Kentucky when he was 8 years old and called to preach at age 16. He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary (B.D.), Burton College and Seminary (Th.M.; Th.D.), and the University of Florida (Ph.D.). Upon retirement as President from Luther Rice in 1982 he served as Chancellor until 1987.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, September 21, 2006, p. 13.
JOSEPH H. WOMBWELL
Joseph H. Wombwall was listed as an ordained minister of Greenwood, Florida, in the 1856 Minutes of the West Florida Baptist Association. He was elected as a delegate to the 1857 Florida Baptist Convention. He died on July 17, 1859, and left Lucius and Everetta as destitute children.
Secondary Source: West Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1856, 1889. pp. 9-10.
JOE E. WOOD
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Joe E. Wood (June 16, 1937- ) was born at Paragould, Arkansas. He attended Arkansas State University (B.S.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., M.R.E.). Wood served as Assistant to the Dean in the School of Religious Education at Southern Seminary. He served at Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville as Assistant Professor in Religious Education, and later as Director of Public Relations. Wood and his wife, Linda Lou Ford, have three children (Kathy Wood, Jennifer Lee Riner, and Robert). They have seven grandchildren (Allison Caroline, Victoria, Megan, Bo, Coley, Joe Alan, and Jo Anna). Wood is retired from teaching at the Florida Baptist Theological College, and also is a retired Colonel after serving 24 years in the Army and Navy.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
JOE LEE WOOD
Joe Lee Wood (1898-1966) was born in Columbia County, Florida. He was a bi-vocational pastor and operated the Studebaker/Packard dealership in Lake City. He served as interim of numerous churches in the Beulah Baptist association. He and his wife, Quida Scott had three daughters: Josephine, Margueritte and Bette Jean.
Primary Source: First Baptist Church of White Springs, p.21.
WALDO EMERSON WOOD
Waldo Emerson Wood (1899-1997) served as an ordained Baptist preacher for 76 years. He served pastorates in Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma. He was especially known for his work in literacy ministry. He and his wife, Verda, had a daughter, Ann, and four sons, Judson, Charles, Edwin, and Robert.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 21, 1997.
WILLIAM F. WOOD
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In 1885 William F. Wood and Adela Fales were missionaries to the Cubans in Key
West. Wood baptized 28 Cubans in 1884-1885. Several of them were persons of
influence and education, and two of them were already preparing for the ministry.
In 1885 the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions borrowed money from a member
of the Board to send Wood to Havana, Cuba, on a missions quest. Havana at that
time had a population of 200,000, and Florida Baptists desired to hold the fort
till the Foreign Mission Board could come to the rescue. Wood was charged to
visit Havana at least quarterly to organize, direct, encourage, and foster the
various missions there. Wood and his family moved to Cuba in 1886, and with
Miss Adela Fales, they led in the work in Havana and the surrounding area. Wood
died in 1890.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annuals, 1885-1889,
p. 50. Una Lawrence, Cuba For Christ.
C. W. WOODRUFF
C. W. Woodruff served as a pastor in Florida and died in 1909.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1910, p. 71.
E. E. WOODSON
E. E. Woodson served as a Baptist pastor in Florida and died in Miami in 1934.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Convention Annual, 1934, p. 94.
T. R. WOODSON
T. R. Woodson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Punta Gorda (1912-1917), Zolfo, and Noxatee Churches. He died in 1921.
Secondary Source: Peace River Association Minutes, 1921.
D. L. WOODWARD
D. L. “Woody” Woodward died June 25, 2006, in Birmingham, Alabama. Woodward served as pastor in Holmes Association and served as Director of Missions in Holmes Baptist Association from 1986-1997.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
LUTHER W. WOODWARD
Luther W. Woodward (1901-1980) died December 8, 1980. He served as a Director of Missions from 1954-1969, in the Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Graves, and Holmes County Associations. He had a part in establishing 55 churches in his lifetime. He was married to Ruby Robertson Woodward and they had one son, David Luther.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, December 18, 1980, p. 6; January 1, 1981, p. 13.
T. N. WOODWARD
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T. N. Woodward (1899-1988) was a native of North Carolina, and served for 39 years as a foreign missionary in China and Hawaii. Upon retirement he moved to Panama City and served as interim in eight churches there before his death.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, July 14, 1988, p. 10.
JOHN ALEXANDER WRAY
John Alexander Wray (February 5, 1872- ) went from Live Oak to Miami in 1910 to succeed Dr. William Edwin Stanton as pastor of First Baptist Church. Wray was born in Shelby, North Carolina. He graduated from Wake Forest in 1892. He studied law at Harvard but left there for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary upon being called to preach. He married Lucy Plumer Mills on January 30, 1894 at Wake Forest. Wray served at Miami from 1910 to 1916, when he resigned to move to Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Secondary Source: Martha L. Reiner, Belief in The City, p. 20.
PAUL E. WRENN, JR.
Paul E. Wrenn, Jr., retired as pastor of Murray Hill Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He had served there from 1974 until 1994. He had served previously as pastor of First Baptist Church in Kissimmee, and Blake Memorial Baptist Church in Lake Helen.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, September 22, 1994,
p. 10.
J. C. WRIGHT
J. C. Wright began his ministry in 1936. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1945. He served as pastor of Hogan Church at Foley, and was pastor of Mt. Carmel Church in Lake City, at his death on February 18, 1956.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 6, 1956, p. 12.
RICHARD L. WRIGHT
Richard L. Wright served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Eustis; Emmanuel Baptist Church, Panama City; First Baptist Church, Southport, and went to Franklin Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville in 1980 as pastor.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, April 3, 1980, p. 6.
THOMAS ALEXANDER WRIGHT
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Thomas Alexander Wright (March 26, 1920- ) was born in Moultrie, Georgia, and
raised in Boyton Beach, Florida. He was the son of Albert and Roxie Shy Wright.
He attended schools in Palm Beach County. Wright graduated from Florida Memorial
College (B.S., 1950), and Howard University School of Divinity (B.D., 1954).
Wright was converted and became a member of St. John Baptist Church at age 13.
He served as pastor of St. Mary s Baptist Church in St. Augustine from 1954
to 1962, and now has served for over 40 years as pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist
Church in Gainesville beginning in 1962. He is the dean of Florida Baptist pastors.
Wright served as chaplain at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville
for 21 years. He has served on numerous civic, denominational, and church committees,
and has been appointed to service by mayors, governors, and presidents. He married
Affie Mae Clayton in 1940, and they lived together nearly 50 years before her
death. They had four children, Patricia, Thomas, Philoron, and LaVon.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Historical Society files.
THOMAS C. WYATT
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Thomas C. Wyatt (1886-1976) served for 20 years as tourist pastor of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in Saint Petersburg. Wyatt was the founding chaplain of the East Tennessee Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Nellie, had one daughter.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, March 18, 1976, p. 6.
B. WYNN
In the 1851 minutes of the Florida Baptist Association, B. Wynn is listed as the pastor of the Long Branch Church in Thomas County, Georgia.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Association Minutes, 1851, p. 2.
HAROLD HENDERSON WYNN, SR.
Harold Henderson Wynn, Sr. (December 9, 1939-June 19, 1998) was the son of Mrs.
Josephine Wynn Barnes. He was born in Marianna, Florida. On July 13, 1959, he
married Julia Mae Johnson. They had three sons; Harold Jr., Arthur, and John.
Wynn accepted Christ at age 14. He was baptized by Dr. A. H. Parker, and became
a member of Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon
on December 24, 1961. He became pastor of Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church
in 1966, and served there until his death.
Wynn graduated from Florida A. and M. University (B.A., M.Ed.), and Gulf Coast
Seminary with his masters and doctoral degrees.
Wynn served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Jackson Hospital, and as
Chaplain at the Florida School for Boys. He served in numerous denominational
posts of the Progressive M. and E. Baptist State Convention of Florida.
W. RICHARD WYNN
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W. Richard Wynn a native of Florida attended Norman Junior College and Florida State University. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Hillsvale, Virginia; King Street in Cocoa; First Baptist Church in Dunedin; First Baptist Church in Fernandina, and Woodstock Park in Jacksonville. Wynn married Bonnie Studstill, and they had two daughters and one son.
Secondary Source: Florida Baptist Witness, August 31, 1972, p. 10.
