MUSCOGEE COUNTY, GA - CHURCHES East Highlands Church [originally Columbus Church], Columbus (Progressive Primitive Baptist) Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: John Mallory Land Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/muscogee.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm From the “Banner-Herald Special Birdwood College Edition: History in Word and Picture of the Progressive Primitive Baptists (N. P.: Thomasville, GA, 1955), [pages not numbered]: “East Highlands Church [originally Columbus Church], Columbus [Muscogee County], Georgia [photo of church building] An examination of the records of this church emphasizes the fact that our denomination is not of modern origin and was not organized as a new cult of order, but the individual church unit was established [by] being seeded with membership from other units of Orthodox faith. It should be a source of pride to all Primitive Baptists that we can trace our lineage back to apostolic times. On the 23rd day of April, 1892, a group of people met in Columbus, Georgia, for the purpose of constituting a church of the Primitive Baptist faith and order. The presbytery at this meeting consisted of Elder L. B. PORTER, Moderator, of Mount Olive Association of Alabama; Elder John RESPASS, of Upatoi Association of Georgia; and Elder W. C. CLEVELAND, of Echeconnee Association, of Culloden, Georgia. Those who petitioned the constitution were as follows: Elder Daniel HESS and Mrs. E. A. HESS, with letters from West Lebanon Church, Lebanon, Ohio; Elder Hezekiah BUSSEY, Mount Moriah Church, Muscogee County, Georgia; James T. EASON, Mount Moriah Church, Muscogee County, Georgia; and James H. HUTCHINSON, Sardis Church, Harris County, Georgia. The first conference of this new church was held April 23, 1892. Meeting days were set for the second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays each month. This initial conference was the beginning of a three days’ meeting. The preachers participating in this meeting were as follows: Elders CLEVELAND, HESS, RESPASS, and PORTER. During this conference Elder Hezekiah BUSSEY was called as pastor of the church and served well until January 7, 1912. It was five years before a church house was built. The lot was obtained in a new subdivision being developed by Flournoy Realty Company. This subdivision was known as East Highlands, which name continues to date. The first service was held in the new church on September 25, 1897. Due to the failure of the clerk of the church to register in the church book all of her business transactions, it is impossible to give a correct record of the pastorate of Elder BUSSEY, although the church grew and prospered under his able ministry. It is interesting to note that in the early years of the church, committees were appointed to determine why members were absent from services and many were “dealt with” on the grounds of contempt for the church when they failed to appear at conferences and make any acknowledgment or give any reason for their failure to support the church. We might have healthier churches today if the members were strong enough to “deal with” indifference, laxity, and other modern forms of non-support. Elder R. H. BARWICK was called as the second pastor and began serving the church in January, 1912, and served faithfully until September 22, 1918. Elder BARWICK’s career as a preacher is well known by many Primitive Baptists, and his record as a pastor of the Columbus Church speaks for itself, inasmuch as he was recalled after a few years and served from October, 1928, through September, 1934. Elder J. Fred HARTLEY was then called as pastor and served from 1918 to 1923. As is well known by all Primitive Baptists of today, Elder HARTLEY was an outstanding builder of churches. Under his administration the Columbus Church continued to grow and prosper. Elder W. T. NIPPER was called as pastor and served in 1923 and 1924. While he was a pastor a Bible Study Class was organized. To the best of our knowledge this was the first Bible Study in a Primitive Baptist Church. Elder S. H. WHATLEY was called as pastor in 1925, and served until September, 1928. The church had a great ingathering during the faithful ministry of Elder WHATLEY. Elder W. C. KICKLIGHTER was called as pastor in 1934, and served through September, 1938. The church continued to grow and prosper under his able ministry. Elder W. C. CHANDLER was next called as pastor, serving from1938 through August, 1941. At this time the church began keeping a more complete record of the church’s business; therefore, we are now able to give a more detailed history of the church’s growth and prosperity. In conference on December 10, 1938, the church voted to have full time services. This was the first church in the entire Primitive Baptist Denomination to call a pastor for full time service. On April 28, 1941, the first ladies’ circle in this church was organized, meetings being held once a month in the afternoon. The circle was named in memory of Sister Hannah McCLELLAN. Under Elder CHANDLER’s ministry the church received twenty-seven new members. Elder W. E. PRICE served the church from September 1941, through August, 1942. His ministry was short but very profitable. Elder R. B. RRANTLEY [sic] was next called and served from September, 1942 to July, 1944. Seven new members were added to the church during this period. The church building was brick veneered and dedicated on the fourth Sunday in August, 1944, sermons being preached by both the outgoing and incoming pastors. The incoming pastor, Elder P. O. REVELS, served from September, 1944, through August, 1946. There were eleven additions to the church during this period. The purchase of a pastorium was authorized September 16, 1945, and a five room frame dwelling at 2020 17th Avenue was purchased. Elder Guy SMITH was next called as pastor and served from September, 1946 to September, 1947. The church was blessed with six additions during his ministry. An attic fan was installed to cool the church auditorium. This fan was donated by Brother Leon SLAUGHTER. Elder John GLISSON served the church faithfully and well from January through August, 1948. One member was added during this time. Elder A. H. GARNER was next called as pastor, serving from September, 1948 through November, 1949. Under his ministry the church continued to grow and prosper, being blessed with twelve additions. The name of the church was changed April 6, 1949, from Columbus Primitive Baptist Church to East Highlands Primitive Baptist Church. Elder GARNER is well known as an organizer. In 1949, during his ministry, a Primitive Baptist Youth Fellowship was organized in the church. New pulpit furniture was added during this period. Elder Fred M. WILLIAMS, the present pastor, was called and began serving the church April 14, 1950, this being the first church of his pastorate. The Lord has most surely blessed his ministry at the East Highlands Church, and the church has made great strides forward. Through the blessings of Almighty God, the faithful members, and the many friends, this church has been made as a light set upon a hill and truly we hope through the blessings of an Allwise God, that it will continue to shine out in a dark world and give light to those of God’s dear little children who enter its portals. By the untiring efforts of Brothers J. Madison RODGERS, O. R. GRIFFIN, and Otis McKENZIE, an educational building was annexed to the church, the main structure being completed in 1952. This building has a general assembly room which can be converted into three Bible Study Rooms, two classrooms, two separate dressing rooms, two rest rooms, an office and record room with telephone, and a kitchen completely equipped with triple sink, deep frier, gas stove, coffee urn, and electric refrigerator. It also houses a room that supplies steam heat for both buildings. The heating system was donated and installed by Brother J. Madison RODGERS, a member of the church. A Hammond Organ was donated to the church in memory of Sister [Mrs.] T[homas] Z[ephaniah] (Elizabeth Angeline “Lizzie” LAND) MILLER by her children, Miss Viola [Katherine] MILLER, Dr. F[rederick] M[onroe] MILLER, Dr. Jesse [Lokey] MILLER, Walter L[and] MILLER, and Mrs. [Thomas] Earle (Angie Mae MILLER) TAYLOR [Sr.]. A Baby Grand Piano was given the church by Brother G. V. CARR and his wife in memory of their two grandmothers, Sister Hannah PIPPIN McCLELLAN, and Sister Sara LAYFIELD CRAIG. They also donated an electric drinking fountain for the educational building. Dr. Richard W. SNELLING donated a gas cooking stove for the kitchen, and a window fan for the educational building. Many of the cooking utensils in the kitchen were donated by the children of Sister Hannah McCLELLAN, Walter and Ted McCLELLAN, and Mrs. Mary CARR. Our church grounds have been beautifully landscaped, planted, and cultivated by one of our dear members, Brother O. L. RODGERS. The sprinkling system for the grounds was donated and installed by Brother J. Madison RODGERS. [He is perhaps Madison RODGERS, b. ca. 1908, son of Olin P. & Lucyann L. (HARDY) RODGERS, Olin being a brother of Miss Ora RODGERS. Olin and his wife are buried at Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Is O. L RODGERS a brother of Madison? - jml] On October 15, 1950, the business women of the church organized the Ora RODGERS Circle, the name being in memory of a former member of this church. This circle meets at night and was organized for the benefit of those who cannot attend daytime meetings. The men of the church organized a men’s Brotherhood on Tuesday night after the third Sunday in June, 1954. The purpose of the organization is to promote fellowship and harmony among the men of the church; no business is discussed at meetings. It is for the sole purpose of the enjoyment of close relationship to each other. The Lord has blessed the church with the addition of fifty-four members since 1950. The organization of East Highlands Church is as follows: Elder Fred M. WILLIAMS, pastor; G. V. CARR, clerk; Otis McKENZIE, Treasurer; Deacons: Joe S. TAYLOR, chairman; A. A. INGRAM, W. D. CORLEY, Otis McKENZIE, Jack W. CHASTAIN, Richard W. SNELLING, G. V. CARR, O. R. GRIFFIN, A. L. CAIN, O. L. RODGERS, T. M. ALLMOND, and D. W. HAND. Bible Study Superintendent, G. V. CARR; Assistant superintendent, Joe S. TAYLOR; Secretary of Bible Study, Mrs. Helen HAND; Bible Study Teachers: J. C. CROWLEY, G. V. CARR, Otis McKENZIE, Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN and Mrs. Josie McKENZIE. P.B.Y.F. Director: D. W. HAND; Assistant, Mrs. Jennie Lee BOWDEN; Director Primitive Baptist Foundation, Walter McCLELLAN; Committee Chairmen: Finance, Dr. Richard W. SNELLING; Building and Grounds, O. L. RODGERS and Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN; Public Relations and Publicity, Miss Eunice BLANK; Transportation, Otis McKENZIE; Entertainment, Mrs. Grace CHAMBLISS; Welfare, Mrs. Ethel GRIFFIN; Visitation, Mrs. Josie McKENZIE and Mrs. Gladys ALLMOND; Membership, Mrs. Mary CARR and Mrs. Edith TAYLOR; Welcoming Committee, Joe S. TAYLOR and Walter McCLELLAN; Pianist, Mrs. Margaret TAYLOR [perhaps widow of John Thomas TAYLOR, Sr., d. 1931]; Organist, Mrs. Dorothy BALLOID; Choir Director, Dan CHAMBLESS; Bethany Home Representative, Patricia TAYLOR; Birdwood College Representative, A. L. CAIN. Choir practice and prayer meeting [are held] each Thursday night. East Highlands Church is a member of the Fellowship Association. Hardly any history of a Primitive Baptist Church would be complete without mentioning some of its difficulties. East Highlands is no exception, but we sincerely hope that she has profited by these difficulties. It is easy to see in reflection that only truth and righteousness can endure the tests of time. If we could only search for that with the ardor and zeal [with which] we support our ideals and contend for partisan denomination, strife could not occur. If we were loyal to Christ and adhered to His precepts with the tenacity and endurance [with which] we sometimes cling to individual concepts, there could only be one side and nothing but unity. May we especially take note that it is impossible to bruise the spirit of an individual who does not possess one; therefore, dear brethren, you can only hurt those who love you. Let us hope and pray that henceforth we shall all strive toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Amen. Done and ordered in conference this 8th day of August, 1954. Elder Fred M. WILLIAMS, Moderator; G. V. CARR, clerk. Circle Organized [Photo] Members above shown, reading from left to right: Miss Eunice BLANKS, Mrs. John PATE, Mrs. Frances [PATE] KITE, Mrs. Joe LAVENDER, Mrs. T. M. ALLMOND, Mrs. J. M. SNELLING, Mrs. Fred WILLIAMS, Mrs. Charles HUBBLE, Mrs. Mary CARR, Mrs. Fay STOREY, Mrs. G. V. CARR The Hannah McCLELLAN Circle of the East Highlands Primitive Baptist Church was organized on April 28, 1941. Charter members were as follows: Mesdames Donnie WILLIAMS, president, Callie GRISSETT, Hannah McCLELLAN, Pennie DAVID, Leola DAVIDSON, Marry [sic] CARR, Edith TAYLOR, Eula SNELLING, Ora RODGERS, Ima FULLER, Gertrude CROSBY, Emma CALDWELL, Leah CALDWELL, Mrs. A. L. CAIN and Mrs. W[alter] D[ayton] CORLEY The following served as president in later years: Mrs. Dovie LAVENDER, 1946; Mrs. Josie McKENZIE, 1949; Mrs. Lou BEECHAM HUBBLE, 1951; Mrs. Gladys ALLMOND, 1952. Mrs. Gladys ALLMOND is now serving as president. Money raising activities have included rummage sales, cake sales and suppers. Money is used to furnish flowers and gifts for the sick and for special occasions and to buy necessities for the new educational building. Mrs. Mollie WATSON MEEKS, a resident of Bethany Home [for Ladies at Vidalia, GA,] was ‘adopted’ and gifts and notes were sent to her until her death in 1952. Night Circle [photo] Members shown above, reading left to right: Mrs. Lucy P. WILLINGHAM, Mrs. Earle C. GRIFFIN, Mrs. Saddie WILLIAMS, Mrs. Thelma HARPER, Mrs. Josie McKENZIE, Mrs. Eva RODGERS, Mrs. Mae CHASTAIN, Mrs. Grace CHAMBLIS, Mrs. Jennie Lee BOWDEN, Mrs. Beatrice SLAUGHTER, Mrs. Sara Will FALLAN, Mrs. Helen HAND. For the benefit of the ladies in our church who work, and the ones with small children, who could not attend the day circle, we decided to organize a night circle. So for that purpose we met in the sanctuary of our church on the night of October 15, 1951. Mrs. Fred M. WILLIAMS was elected temporary president and Miss Edna GRIFFIN temporary secretary. Our meeting was opened with scripture reading by Miss Marjorie Jo GRIFFIN and prayer was offered by Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN. We voted to meet once a month in homes of our members until the education building in our church, which was under construction, could be completed. We also decided to have the devotional first[,] followed by business meeting and last the social hour. For a name we chose “Ora RODGERS” in honor of our departed member who dedicated her life to the service of the church. The following were nominated and elected officers: Mrs. Otis McKENZIE, Mrs. Cash FALLAW, Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN, Vice-President; Mrs. Lucille ROBINSON, Secretary; and Mrs. Ethel GRIFFIN, Treasurer. The following are charter members: Mrs. Dan CHAMBLESS, Mrs. Cash FALLAW, Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN, Miss Edna GRIFFIN, Miss Marjorie Jo GRIFFIN, Mrs. Britt GRIFFIN, Mrs. E. W. HARPER, Mrs. Otis McKENZIE, Mrs. Myrtice ROBINSON, Mrs. Lucille ROBINSON, Mrs. Leon SLAUGHTER, Mrs. Fred WILLIAMS and Mrs. Lucy PERRY. After our organization Elder CHANDLER came in from Savannah and closed our meeting with prayer. Our next meeting was held on November 26, 1951, at the home of Mrs. Fred WILLIAMS. The program chairman rendered the devotional. At this meeting the president appointed the committee chairmen to serve for the ensuing year. They are as follows: Program Chairman, Miss Edna GRIFFIN; Visiting Chairman, Mrs. Cash FALLAW; Correspondence Chairman, Mrs. Leon SLAUGHTER; Hospitality Chairman, Mrs. Lucille ROBINSON; Membership Chairman, Mrs. E. W. HARPER; Telephone Chairman, Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN. It was voted and approved to have election of officers in August each year. The second week in December having been set aside as Father and Son week in our city, our Circle voted to sponsor a Father and Son banquet and the following Sunday the fathers and sons sat together and took part in the morning worship service. It was decided at this meeting we would sell Christmas stockings to help raise funds. February, 1952, the Hannah McCLELLAN and Ora RODGERS Circles sponsored a covered dish and crazy hat sale, supper $1.00 and hats 50¢. Proceeds to go on the rug fund for the church. It was also voted at this time to give $24.00 more on rug fund. On Monday night, March 17, 1952, our dreams became a reality. We had our first meeting in our new Educational Building! Elder WILLIAMS was present with us to rejoice and offer thanks to God for His many blessings bestowed upon our church. Plans were made for a fish supper to be held on Saturday, March 22. This supper cleared $167.00 October, 1952, the circle voted to send cards and flowers, Christmas and birthday gifts and remembrances at other important times during the year to Miss Beulah BOWDEN, member of our church and occupant of the Old Ladies Home [probably Bethany Home for Ladies at Vidalia, GA]. Sister BOWDEN was indeed a servant of the Lord and her heart was made to rejoice in receiving these remembrances, as the ladies of the Circle rejoiced to be able to do it. In February, 1953, we voted to increase our dues from fifty cents to one dollar per person per month. Plans were discussed at this meeting for furnishing the nursery in the church. Space does not permit minutes of each meeting, however, we are listing some of our more profitable projects: Sale of Christmas Stockings 1951 - $110.16; Money donated to rug fund - $100.00; cake sale - $38.00; fish supper - $167.00; Subscriptions to Hollands Magazine - $37.00; Sale of Christmas Stockings 1952 - $50.58; Sale of Christmas Stockings 1953 - $34.00. The ladies of this Circle for some months now have sponsored a supper at the church one night per month. The proceeds from these suppers are turned over to the church treasurer to pay on the Educational Building. Each month approximately $65.00 is cleared from these suppers. Each year this Circle has paid for one youth from our church to attend Youth Camp at Birdwood [College]. This Circle is keeping a very interesting scrapbook of its activities. The following new members have been added to the charter members: Mrs. Eva RODGERS, Mrs. Frances GRIFFIN, Mrs. Beverly LOFTIN, Mrs. Jenny Lee BOWDEN, Mrs. Margaret TAYLOR, Mrs. Rosa Lee PARTAIN, Miss Elizabeth HOLMES, Mrs. Mae CHASTAIN, Mrs. Myrtle ALMOND, Mrs. Katie WILLIAMS, Miss Carlene HANCOCK, Mrs. Helen HAND, and Mrs. Betty BARBER. We have had people from out of town churches visit us on occasion, namely: Mrs. Velta YORK, Mrs. Margaret GABBIE, Mrs. Jakie TAYLOR and Mrs. C. A. ADKINS. Humbly submitted by Mrs. Fred M. WILLIAMS, Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN. Columbus Church Has Active Bible Study: The Adult Class Is Shown in Photograph Below [Photo] Members shown above: Front row - left to right: Mrs. O. R. GRIFFIN, Mrs. J. M. SNELLING, Mrs. Lou HUBBLE, Mrs. Mary CARR, Mrs. Callie GRISSETT, Mrs. L. L. GOINS, Mrs. Frances KITE, second row: &Mrs. J. W. LAVENDER, Mrs. Fred M. WILLIAMS, Mrs. Ethel GRIFFIN, third row: Mrs. Fay STOREY, Mrs. Mattie M. LAND, fourth row: Mrs. John PATE, Mrs. J. W. PHILLIPS, J. C. CROWLEY, Miss Jennie BOWDEN, fifth row: Miss Eunice BLANKS, O. L. RODGERS, Elder Fred M. WILLIAMS, back row: Britt GRIFFIN, J. W. LAVENDER, Mr. GRISSETT, O. R. GRIFFIN, Dr. W. R. SNELLING. Young Adults and Juniors [Photo] Members shown above: Reading left to right: First row, Frankie BOWDEN, Carmen CARR, Jennie Pie BOWDEN, Britt DAVID, Second row, Penny DAVID, Mike McKENZIE, Bob HAND, Dennis HAND. Third row, Gene ALMOND, Mrs. Joe S. TAYLOR, Mrs. D. W. HAND, Mrs. Thelma HARPER. Fourth row, Mrs. W. E. ALMOND, Miss Patricia TAYLOR, Mrs. Otis McKENZIE, Miss Randy STOREY. Fifth row, W. E. ALMOND, Joe S. TAYLOR, Mrs. G. V. CARR. Sixth row, D. W. HAND, Otis McKENZIE, Donald WILLIAMS, G. V. CARR. List of persons mentioned in this history: ADKINS, C. A. (Mrs.) ALLMOND, Gene ALLMOND, Gladys (Mrs.) ALLMOND, T. M. (Mr., Mrs.) ALLMOND, W. E. ALMOND, Myrtle (Mrs.) BALLOID, Dorothy (Mrs.) BARBER, Betty (Mrs.) BARWICK, R. H. (Elder) BLANK(S), Eunice (Miss) BOWDEN, Beulah (Miss) BOWDEN, Frankie BOWDEN, Jennie Lee (Mrs.) BOWDEN, Jennie Pie (Miss) BUSSEY, Hezekiah (Elder) CAIN, A. L. (Mr., Mrs.) CALDWELL, Emma CALDWELL, Leah CARR, Carmen CARR, G. V. (Mr., Mrs.) CARR, Mary (Mrs.) CHAMBLESS, Dan (Mr., Mrs.) CHAMBLIS, Grace (Mrs.) CHANDLER, W. C. (Elder) CHASTAIN, Jack W. CHASTAIN, Mae (Mrs.) CLEVELAND, W. C. (Elder) CORLEY, W. D. (Mr., Mrs.) CRAIG, Sara LAYFIELD (Sister) CROSBY, Gertrude (Mrs.) CROWLEY, J. C. DAVID, Britt DAVID, Pennie (Mrs.) DAVID, Penny DAVIDSON, Leola (Mrs.) EASON, James T. FALLAN, Sara Will (Mrs.) FALLAW, Cash (Mrs.) FULLER, Ima GABBIE, Margaret (Mrs.) GARNER, A. H. (Elder) GLISSON, John (Elder) GOINS, L. L. (Mr., Mrs.) GRIFFIN, Britt (Mr., Mrs.) GRIFFIN, Earle C. (Mrs.) GRIFFIN, Edna (Miss) GRIFFIN, Ethel (Mrs.) GRIFFIN, Frances (Mrs.) GRIFFIN, Marjorie Jo (Miss) GRIFFIN, O. R. (Brother/Mr., Mrs.) GRISSETT, Callie (Mrs.) GRISSETT, Mr. HANCOCK, Carlene (Miss) HAND, Bob HAND, D. W. (Mr., Mrs.) HAND, Dennis HAND, Helen (Mrs.) HARPER, E. W. (Mrs.) HARPER, Thelma (Mrs.) HARTLEY, J. Fred (Elder) HESS, Daniel (Elder) HESS, E. A. (Mrs.) HOLMES, Elizabeth (Miss) HUBBLE, Charles (Mrs.) HUBBLE, Lou BEECHAM (Mrs.) HUTCHINSON, James H. INGRAM, A. A. KICKLIGHTER, W. C. (Elder) KITE, Frances (Mrs.) LAND, Mattie M. (Mrs.) [buried at Mt. Moriah Church Cemetery (now Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA] LAVENDER, Dovie (Mrs.) LAVENDER, J. W. (Mr., Mrs.) LAVENDER, Joe (Mrs.) LOFTIN, Beverly (Mrs.) McCLELLAN, Hannah PIPPIN (Sister) McCLELLAN, Ted McCLELLAN, Walter McKENZIE, Josie (Mrs.) McKENZIE, Mike McKENZIE, Otis (Brother/Mr., Mrs.) MEEKS, Mollie WATSON (Mrs.) MILLER, F. M. (Dr.) MILLER, Jesse (Dr.) MILLER, T. Z. (Sister) MILLER, Viola (Miss) MILLER, Walter L. NIPPER, W. T. (Elder) PARTAIN, Rosa Lee (Mrs.) PATE, John (Mrs.) [buried at Mt. Olive Church Cemetery, Cusseta, Chattahoochee Co, GA] PERRY, Lucy (Mrs.) PHILLIPS, J. W. (Mrs.) PORTER, L. B. (Elder) PRICE, W. E. (Elder) RESPASS, John (Elder) REVELS, P. O. (Elder) ROBINSON, Lucille (Mrs.) ROBINSON, Myrtice (Mrs.) RODGERS, Eva (Mrs.) RODGERS, J. Madison (Brother) RODGERS, O. L. (Brother) RODGERS, Ora [buried at Mt. Moriah Church Cemetery (now Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA] RRANTLEY [sic], R. B. (Elder) SLAUGHTER, Beatrice (Mrs.) SLAUGHTER, Leon (Mr., Mrs.) SMITH, Guy (Elder) SNELLING, Eula (Mrs.) SNELLING, J. M. (Mrs.) SNELLING, Richard W. (Dr.) SNELLING, W. R. (Dr.) STOREY, Fay (Mrs.) TAYLOR, Earle (Mrs.) TAYLOR, Edith (Mrs.) TAYLOR, Jakie (Mrs.) TAYLOR, Joe S. (Mr., Mrs.) TAYLOR, Patricia (Miss) TAYLOR, Margaret (Mrs.) WHATLEY, S. H. (Elder) WILLIAMS, Donnie (Mrs.) WILLIAMS, Fred M. (Elder/Mr., Mrs.) WILLIAMS, Katie (Mrs.) WILLIAMS, Mike WILLIAMS, Saddie (Mrs.) WILLINGHAM, Lucy P. (Mrs.) YORK, Velta (Mrs.) Compiler’s genealogical notes: ALLMOND: Mr. Bob ALLMOND m. Ruby LAND, born Harris County, Georgia, daughter of Mrs. Will LAND (nee GRANT) and sister of Jack LAND & Doris (LAND) PETTS (margin note by Mary (LAND HOOD) SANDS) CORLEY, Mrs. W[alter] D[ayton]: nee Rena? JENKINS, daughter of Elder David M. & Callie (DRURY?) JENKINS from Lafayette, AL; [her] son [is] Elder Allen Wade CORLEY (per margin note by Mary (LAND HOOD) SANDS) KITE, Mrs. Frances: evidently Frances Adeline PATE (1891-1972), daughter of Samuel Jackson & Susie Rebecca (SIZEMORE) PATE and widow of Roland KITE (1890- 1923), whom she m. 1908; although she m2. Charles W. BRUCE, I, and had a son by him (b. 1927), she appears in the Social Security Death Index as Frances KITE. She was sister to John Richard PATE (see entry below). LAND, Mrs. Mattie M.: nee Mattie Tabitha MILLER (1872- 1960), daughter of Oliver Hazard & Mary (PARKER) MILLER, widow of Aaron Brewster LAND (1872-1953). Mattie and Brewster are buried at Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery LAVENDER, Mrs. J. W.: nee GOINS, daughter-in-law of Sara Elizabeth (HAMER) GOINS. Mildred (LAVENDER) GRIMES is related to the DAVID family through her father, Mr. Joe LAVENDER, whose sister Penny LAVENDER m. Britt DAVID (per margin notes by Mary (LAND HOOD) SANDS) MILLER, Mrs. T[homas] Z[ephaniah]: nee Elizabeth Angeline “Lizzie” LAND (1866-1950), daughter of Aaron & Angeline Polk (LOKEY) LAND. Lizzie is sister of Aaron Brewster LAND and Thomas Z. MILLER is brother of Mattie Tabitha MILLER (see above entry). PATE, Mrs. John: perhaps Nancy Henrietta “Etta” (DAVIS) PATE (1890-1973), daughter of Mrs. Hattie (DODSON) DAVIS and widow of John Richard PATE (1884- 1946) ROBINSON, Mrs. Myrtice: perhaps Myrtice Arlene (COOK) ROBINSON (1919-1994), daughter of Willie Clifford “Cliff” & Ophelia (PATE) COOK, and wife of Benjamin Franklin “Frank” ROBINSON, Sr. Ophelia (PATE) COOK (1886-1942) is a first cousin of John Richard PATE and Frances (PATE) KITE (see above entries). RODGERS, Ora: apparently, Carrie Lexora “Ora” RODGERS (1869-1951), daughter of Samuel Crain & Susan Winnifred “Susie” (POOL) RODGERS - Ora never married and is buried at Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church. Susie (POOL) RODGERS is niece of Millie Fuqua (POOL) MILLER, grandmother of Thomas Z. MILLER and Mattie T. (MILLER) LAND (see above entries). Also, Susie’s mother, Winnifred Blakeley (ANTHONY) POOL is sister to Nancy Ann Tate (ANTHONY) LOKEY, grandmother of Brewster LAND and Lizzie (LAND) MILLER (see above entries). SLAUGHTER, Leon: note child Mary Jim SLAUGHTER (1919- 1920), daughter of Leon and Daisy SLAUGHTER, buried at Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery; also buried there is Daisy (LOKEY) SLAUGHTER (1885-1963) From the “Banner-Herald Special Birdwood College Edition: History in Word and Picture of the Progressive Primitive Baptists (N. P.: Thomasville, GA, 1955), [pages not numbered]: Elder Samuel H. WHATLEY (deceased) Samuel Houston WHATLEY, youngest son of Elder Vachel Davis and Mary LASSETER WHATLEY, was born May 15, 1858 in Troup County, Georgia. He united with the Primitive Baptist Church when not more than sixteen years of age. Records of exact age and name of church have been lost. He married Miss Ella Frances SIMMONS March 28, 1880. She died March 28, 1898, leaving one son, Edward Ray, and an infant daughter, Ella Ruth. On July 31, 1901, Elder WHATLEY married [second] Lorena Olivia PHILLIPS at Lone Oak [Meriwether County], Georgia. To this union was born one daughter, Mary Sam. Some time between 1880 and 1890 Samuel H. WHATLEY moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was employed by the Southern Railway. He was a member of West Atlanta Primitive Baptist Church. Here he was liberated to preach; and on May 25, 1895, Shoal Creek church called for his ordination. On June 29, 1895, he was ordained to the ministry. Among the ministers invited to take part in the service were his brother, Elder A. B. WHATLEY and Elder A. W. PATTERSON. Some of the Churches served by Elder WHATLEY were, Shoal Creek, Utio (both near Atlanta), Providence (now at Luthersville [Meriwether County], Georgia), Columbia and Lebanon, near Quitman [Brooks County], Georgia; Mount Carmel, Thomasville [Thomas? County], Georgia; [and] Corinth, Ty Ty [Tift County], Georgia. In October 1915, he was called to Grace Church, Thomaston [Upson County], Georgia. On January 15, 1916, he moved his family to Thomaston, where he continued as pastor of Grace Church until his death. He [had] also served LaGrange [Troup County], Ideal [Macon? County], Fellowship and Shiloh, Georgia; Enon, Gay [Meriwether County], Georgia; Ramah near Barnesville [Lamar County, Georgia]; Ramah at Buena Vista [Marion County, Georgia]; Statesboro Church [Bulloch County, Georgia], Chickasawhatchee, Dawson [Terrell County, Georgia], Macedonia, Sasser [Terrell County, Georgia]; East Highland[s] at Columbus [Muscogee County, Georgia], Flat Rock near Greenville [Meriwether? County], Georgia; Manchester [Meriwether County, Georgia] and Culloden [Monroe County, Georgia]. [photo] Elder WHATLEY was one of the first Primitive Baptist ministers to preach the duty of the church to support the pastor. For this he was bitterly persecuted, but he never faltered in his duty. His convictions were definite and strong, his courage unlimited, and his faith unwavering. It was his constant prayer that he would never be helpless, thus becoming a burden to his loved ones. Many times he expressed the hope that he might “go to sleep and wake up in heaven.” So in the first hour of May 8, 1939, God answered his prayer. He “fought a good fight; he kept the faith,” and he is now at home with his Master whom he served most of his life.