Editor’s Note: The Arkansas Baptist News would love to share your church news with the state. Send your information to sarah@arkansasbaptist.org or call 1-800-838-2272, ext. 5153. Please submit information three weeks prior to the event.
Obituaries
Marsha Wiggins Griffin, 82, of Crossett, died Nov. 10. Wiggins served as the church pianist for 40 years at First Baptist Church, Crossett. She is preceded in death by her husband and a sister. Griffin is survived by three daughters, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Shelba Jean Greene, 81, of Jacksonville, died Nov. 17. A member of First Baptist Church, Sherwood, Greene served as the chaplain and president of the Auxiliary of the Gideons International. She was preceded in death by her parents. Greene is survived by her husband, four children, 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Carl Garrett Willis, 86, of Conway, died Nov. 15. Willis served as a pastor for 57 years at churches in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Willis is survived his wife, a son, a daughter, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Annielee “Fay” Daughety Johnston, 95, of McCrory, died Nov. 23. Johnston was a member of Elaine Baptist Church, Elaine, and held the record for longest membership in the church. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband and a son. Johnston is survived by four sons, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Milestones
Rick Hyde was named pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, Curtis, Sunday, Nov. 17. Hyde served as pastor at First Baptist, Curtis, for six years before retiring.
Robert Greene, pastor of First Baptist Church, Yorktown, will retire in January 2020. Greene has served as pastor at the church for 25 years.
Church life
Hot Springs Baptist Church, Hot Springs, will host Night in Bethlehem starting at 6 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Dec. 6-7 and Friday-Saturday, Dec. 13-14. The event features a free 30-minute walk through a live depiction of Bethlehem’s sights, sounds and smells.
Central Baptist Church, Pine Bluff and White Hall will host its annual Christmas Village starting at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. There will be games, door prizes, cookie decorating and ornament making.
First Baptist Church, Conway, will host Conway Down Home Christmas Festival starting at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8. There will be horse drawn carriage rides, live music, free food, carnival games, snow machines, crafts, family photos, fire pits and Christmas carols.
First Baptist Church, Sherwood, will host a Winter Wonderland celebration starting at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15. There will be a live nativity, a pony carousel, train rides, bounce houses, hot chocolate and food.
© Copyright 2019 Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine, Inc. Use of this in article in print or through electronic means a violation of copyright. Request permission to reprint here.