Obit: Tillet S. Teddlie, 1987, Winn Parish, LA
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Submitted by Shirley B. Alexander, 909 Manciples Way, Abilene, TX 79602


(From the Christian Chronicle, September 1987 [Church of Christ
publication])

Church Leaders
Church mourns passing of hymn writer, Bible prof

OKLAHOMA CITY-Two prominent church leaders died last month:  Tillit S.
Teddlie, well-known hymn writer, and LeMoine G. Lewis, longtime Bible
professor.

Teddlie, a prolific hymn writer who began each morning with a recital of
the books of the Bible and a litany of U.S. presidents, died Aug. 17 at a
nursing home in Gunter, Texas.  He was 102. 
     Teddlie composed 135 gospel songs and published 14 songbooks.  Among
his best known are "Worthy Art Thou",  "We Shall Meet Some Day", "Heaven Holds
All to Me", In the Service of My King" and "Into Our Hands the Gospel is
Given".
     "Teddlie wrote songs on many subjects, but we can be especially
grateful that he repeatedly magnified Jesus Christ the Saviour," said Harold
Fletcher, professor of music at Oklahoma Christian College, Oklahoma City. 
"Some of the phrases have come to have virtually the same force and appeal as
passages of Scripture."
     "There is no way to know how long his writings will survive.  These
sincere texts with music have already been indelibly impressed on the hearts
of literally thousands," he said.
     "He, L.O. Sanderson and more like them have already joined the
Fillmores, Love Jameson and others in the honor roll of our church song
writers," said Fletcher.
     His first song, "I've Waited Too Long," was written in 1906.  The
song was inspired by a story he told in a sermon of an unbeliever dying of
pneumonia. The man begged his physician, "Tell my friends I've waited too long
to prepare, but you have time."  "What Will Your Answer Be?" was his first
hymn to be published by Stamps Baxter Company.
     "It's born in you," Teddlie once told his friends.  "If you're full
of music, you'll want to write songs."
     Teddlie directed singing schools across the country for 50 years.  He
led singing for more than 100 preachers and for two years sang only with Foy
E. Wallace, Jr. as he conducted meetings across the country.
     Born June 3, 1885, in Swan, Texas, Teddlie was also a gospel preacher,
serving as local minister for churches in Electra, Vernon, Belton, Ennis and
Greenville, Texas. He served as superintendent of Boles Home in Quinlan,
Texas, for two years.
     In 1985 he attracted media attention in Dalls when he was featured on
a local television program.  A special program honoring his music also was
conducted at the Prestoncrest Church of Christ, Dallas.  More than 1,200
well-wishers gathered to pay tribute to Teddlie and sing his songs.
     Teddlie sang every word of every song for three hours, according to
Hulen L. Jackson, Duncanville, Texas.  Forgetting he had a microphone on, the
audience heard him comment, "Too high," when a leader began one of his songs.
     The funeral was conducted Aug. 20 at the Skillman Avenue Church of
Christ, Dallas, where he was a member.  Stanley Lockhart and Max Wheeler
conducted congregational singing, and Mike Armour, Skillman minister, and
Jackson delivered eulogies.
     Survivors include one son, Pete Teddlie of Dallas: one grandaughter,
four great-grandsons; and six great-great-grandchildren.

[Tillet S. Teddlie was a grandson of Willis and Susanna Baten Teddlie, one of
the ten Teddlies who came to Winn Parish in the 1850s.]

(Submitted by Shirley B. Alexander, 909 Manciples Way, Abilene, TX 79602-3142
and William R. Holly, Jr., 500 Holly-Moore Drive, Pineville, LA 71360-4537.)