Milestones, March 2021
Anniversary
James and Mickie French (78 years)
James Leonard and Mary Frances “Mickie” were married in Weatherford, Texas, on Feb. 20, 1943. James will be 100 years old on Feb. 12, and Mickie turned 97 on Jan. 3.
James and Mickie French
The War was going strong at that time, but Leonard was working at an ammunition factory, which allowed him deferments from the military. After a few months, as his deferment was due to renew, he decided to join the Air Force instead of accepting the next deferment. He spent most of the next two years in North Carolina training glider pilots. Mickie was able to spend most of that time with him.
They were blessed with four children — two boys and two girls. They have seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with number seven on the way.
They were also very blessed by Leonard’s aunt who introduced them to a young preacher named Andrew Connally. After three months of Monday night Bible studies, he baptized them into the Lord’s church at the Hurst Church of Christ in Texas in 1954.
They have spent many years in the ministry serving the Lord. They raised support and supplies for the Chimala Mission and Hospital in Tanzania, which was founded by Andrew Connally.
James was called “Leonard” until he retired from the Arlington Post Office in 1976. Then he decided he wanted to be called James — and it has been James ever since. Mary Frances has been Mickie since her softball days after high school.
Over the years they have lived in many communities around the Dallas-Fort Worth area and have many friends, brothers and sisters. They are now living in Waxahachie, Texas, and are members of the Northside Church of Christ.
They have had a wonderfully blessed life and they know who to give the credit for that.
We love you, Mom and Dad, Grandmother and Granddad!
Elmo and Mary Collins
70 years
Calvin, Okla.
Members of the Atwood Church of Christ.
Elmo and Mary Collins
Memorials
Evelyn Ruth (Caldwell Blount) Anderson
1924-2020
Evelyn Anderson, 96, beloved mother, sister and grandmother, passed away Dec. 22, 2020. A servant of her Lord, her extended family and, indeed, all who crossed her path, she shared herself with them with diligence and joy throughout her life.
Evelyn Anderson
Born in 1924 in Wirt, Okla., to Frank and Thelma Ruth Caldwell, she was reared in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico as the eldest of six children, including Anna Lee, Jack, Mary Ellen, John and Jerry. Both Ann Overmier and Jerry Dear survive her.
She married A. W. (Bill) Blount (now deceased) in June 1944. They were blessed by the birth of three sons and one daughter: William Douglas, Kerry Andrew, Brian Paul and Christina Evelyn Blount, all of whom survive her. She later married Alfred B. Anderson (now deceased). Seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews have been blessed by her love.
Evelyn and Bill raised their children in the Golden, Arvada and Lakewood Churches of Christ in Colorado. Evelyn’s love of God was always evident. She was a faithful member of the church. She joyfully served in many capacities, including as a devoted Christian wife and mother, church secretary and Sunday school teacher. She was a World Bible School correspondence course teacher, guide and evangelist for students in Kenya and Nigeria and for prison inmates in the U.S. She was a missionary assistant in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea for six years. Returning to the U.S., she made her home in, Montgomery, Ala., and Albuquerque, N.M., where she was a member of and secretary for the University Church of Christ. Later she was a longtime member of the Riverside Church of Christ family.
Throughout her life, Evelyn’s steadfast demonstration of her love of Jesus through her kindness and empathy for others was the hallmark of her character. She also had a beautiful voice and loved to sing hymns! She took to heart and put into action the words, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!”
Her life was an inspiration and a blessing to so many. When complimented, she would point to heaven and say, with a twinkle in her eyes, “Look up!”
A graveside service was Jan. 4 at French Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque.
Thomas ‘Tom’ Brister
1938-2020
Thomas “Tom” D. Brister, 82, of Beebe, Ark., went to be with the Lord on Nov. 14, 2020. He was born in Mississippi. He graduated with a Bible degree from Harding University in Arkansas and later obtained a master’s degree from Harding School of Theology in Memphis, Tenn.
Thomas Brister
He was the first person on record from the Thyatira Church of Christ, the oldest congregation in Mississippi, to become a full-time minister. He served as a minister for several congregations in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas. He retired from preaching at Austin Church of Christ in Arkansas after being there for 18 years. While he was preaching at Austin, he also worked for the Arkansas Department of Human Services as a social worker at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
He was active in Lads to Leaders, an organization that trains young people to be leaders and to do what is right. He loved to raise vegetables in his garden. He spent his life serving God and others with all his heart. He is survived by his wife Juanez, three sons, five grandchildren and one brother.
Richard David Dean Sr.
1942-2020
Richard David Dean Sr. was born in New Albany, Miss., on March 19, 1942, to Eugene and Mary Virginia Dean.
Richard David Dean Sr.
Richard accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Vance Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis under the ministry of Nakomis Yeldell (now deceased). Later he served the East Capitol Street Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. and the Norris Road Church of Christ in Memphis. At the time of his passing he was an active member of East End Church of Christ in Memphis.
He earned degrees from Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas, Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, (where he was honored as the university’s first African-American graduate) and the University of The District of Columbia.
Richard met Vallie B. Johnson at Southwestern, and they married on Dec. 29, 1964. They welcomed sons Richard II, Clifton and Mensah Dean. He retired after 32 years of teaching in Washington.
He was preceded in death by brothers Carl, Therman, Clifton, and Summer Dean; sister Elise; and his parents.
Survivors include his former wife, Vallie Dean; sons Richard II, Clifton and Mensah Dean; sisters Helen (Lonnie) of Tampa, Fla., Juanita, Katie and Carolyn, all of California; and cousins Charles and Minnie Bowling of Tennessee.
Nancy Joan Johnson
1931-2020
Nancy Joan Johnson, 89, of Broken Arrow, Okla., died peacefully Dec. 14, 2020. She was born to Maude and Harry Lavender in Stamford, Texas. Nancy married Herman Johnson in Stamford, Texas, on Aug. 26, 1954. They were married for 59 years.
Nancy Johnson
Nancy graduated from Stamford High in 1949 and Abilene Christian College in 1953 with a bachelor’s in business. Nancy taught at Great Lakes Christian College in Beamsville, Ontario, Canada, where she and Herman met. She also taught at high schools in Ropesville, Texas, and Broken Arrow until she retired in 1993.
She was instrumental in starting a Ladies Bible Class project known as the “Piggybank Shower,” which raised funds to be given to the Westview Boys Home in Hollis, Okla., for the boys to purchase and raise a pig for their yearly project. In addition to her volunteer work, she found time to do some writing and had an article published in Christian Woman magazine.
Nancy is survived by children Caren Mims and husband Scott of Midland, Texas, and Brant Johnson of Collinsville, Okla.; brother Ted Lavender of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and grandchildren Leah Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Brent Mims and Carri Mims. Nancy was proceeded in death by her husband Herman and her parents.
The family suggests donations be made to the “Piggybank Shower” in care of the Broken Arrow Church of Christ, 505 E. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow, OK 74012.
Susan Rosenbaum
1945-2020
Susan Williams Paine Rosenbaum, 75, of Live Oak, Fla., passed away from COVID-19 and pneumonia on Dec. 8, 2020.
Susan Rosenbaum
Susan was born in Atlanta on Oct. 13, 1945, to Charles H. Paine III and Mary Halbrook Paine. She was the great-granddaughter of James A. Harding. She was a member of the Live Oak Church of Christ where she assisted and encouraged her husband in his ministerial work.
Susan is survived by her husband Dennis Rosenbaum of Live Oak, three daughters and sons-in-law and two sons and daughters-in-law: Sarah Pinson (Conner) of Smyrna, Ga.; Mary Atkins (Michael) of Valdosta, Ga.; James Rosenbaum (Dena) of Lake Park, Ga.; Rachel Penick (Scott) of Summerville, S.C.; and Chip Rosenbaum (Samantha) of Summerville; 10 grandchildren: Gabrielle Pinson, Hannah York (Kegan) and one great-grandchild due in early 2021, Mackenzie Atkins, Philip Rosenbaum, Abigail Penick, Anna Penick, Luke Penick, Jack Penick, Kenley Rosenbaum, and Christian Rosenbaum. Also surviving is one sister, Victoria Harding Paine, and a brother and sister-in-law, Charles Herman Paine IV (Ruth).
Funeral services were held Dec. 12, 2020, at the mausoleum at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta. Dennis Rosenbaum and Bill Irby officiated.
The family requests donations be made to www.gofundme.com/f/susan-rosenbaum-memorial-fund. Donations may also be sent to Live Oak Church of Christ, PO Box 281, Live Oak, FL 32064.
Kathy Wilson
1921-2020
Mary Kathleen “Kathy” Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1921, in Holland, Mo., the second of four children of William Henry and Mattie Mae Northern. She graduated from Holland High School in 1939, where she was a softball and basketball star.
Kathy Wilson
Kathy worked in Blytheville at a local radio station for a short time and then moved to Long Beach, Calif. It was there that she met a young, handsome soldier and later married Calvert Wallace Wilson on June 28, 1945, in Yarbro, Ark. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Jan and June. The family moved several times due to Calvert’s being in the Air Force (Washington D.C.; Lubbock, Texas; Japan; Altus, Okla., Oklahoma City and, after retirement, to Table Rock Lake in Shell Knob, Mo.
While living in Lubbock, Kathy was baptized at Sunset Church of Christ in 1955. Kathy was the consummate wife and mother during all of these assignments. After Calvert’s military retirement, the family settled in south Oklahoma City. The girls were in high school, Kathy worked as a school secretary at Hillcrest Elementary school, and Calvert worked in Civil Service at Tinker AFB.
They were also able to make several trips to Europe, Japan and Hawaii. Calvert’s health deteriorated, and Kathy was again the ultimate caregiver and devoted wife. Her prayers were answered when Calvert was baptized in 1994 by her brother, Fenter Northern. Calvert departed this life on Aug. 23, 1996.
Kathy was devoted to her Lord and to her local church, the Shell Knob Church of Christ. She later attended the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City where she made many friends who loved and welcomed her!
She was surrounded by special neighbors and friends for almost 50 years in Shell Knob. At 90 years old, she bought a new Ford Escape to try to have a reliable car to drive to Oklahoma! Finally, at the age of 95 she was convinced that she needed to quit driving and move to Oklahoma City to live with her daughter, June Cromling.
She never sacrificed her independent spirit. She was very content and satisfied with her new home, and finally she was able to be cared for rather than being the caregiver. She loved basketball and became a devoted Thunder fan and especially cherished the times that she could attend in person.
Kathy received the ultimate reward early in the morning of Dec. 26, 2020, in her bed in the arms of her loving daughter and made that final move to join the family of believers with Jesus in Heaven.
Kathy was preceded in death by her daughter, Jan DeLucia, on Dec. 5, 2011, which was a tragic loss for a loving mother.
She is survived by her loving brother, Fenter Northern, whom she always loved, respected and relied upon. She is also survived by her daughter June and husband John Cromling of Edmond, Okla., five grandchildren Yvette Connor, Natalie Renn, Johnny Cromling, Josh Cromling, and Julie Mesa. She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren Amelia Bettati; Emeryn, Ashlyn, Madyson, and London Renn; Jake and Caroline Cromling; Rylee and Zoey Cromling; Megan and Addie Mesa. Addie was a special friend, coach, and playmate of her beloved GMa. A graveside service for the family was held in Steele, Mo., on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, and a memorial service will be held later this year at the Shell Knob Church of Christ when it is safe to gather and celebrate her long and vibrant life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Shell Knob Church of Christ, PO Box 202, Shell Knob, MO, 65747, in her name due to her love for that church family for 50 years.
Tribute
Remembering the life and legacy of Stan Stout
Stan Stout, founder of Baja Missions, died Nov. 29, 2020. Lee Milam, a member of the ministry’s board, wrote the following tribute. For more information or to make a memorial gift, see bajamissions.us/in-memory-of-stan-stout.
Stan Stout
Hearts are heavy as we witness a 21st century saint enter heaven’s gates. Stan Stout was so many things to the untold numbers who were touched by his loving hands. His remarkable life-map is a compelling study of what happens when following the steps of Jesus becomes more important than chasing the rainbows of earthly gain. His story is one that needs to be told.
As a young man, Stan rose through the ranks of corporate success in Southern California. As an investment and financial management consultant, he worked daily with millionaires, and at the age of 40, was at the top of his game. Yet something was missing. He made time to serve the church as an elder, but still there was something incomplete. He kept hearing the voice of God calling him to do more.
One holiday weekend, some church friends invited Stan and his wife, Carole, to drive south to Mexico on a weekend trip to help the poor in the area around Ensenada.
Stan had traveled the world in the Navy but was not prepared to see the poverty he witnessed in Mexico: The hungry, struggling to survive. The cardboard, dirt floor homes. The sickness and suffering. Nothing could prepare him for the heartbreak of holding the abandoned, fatherless children, many wandering the streets all alone, searching for relief, walking up to Stan with their hands out, begging for what Christ called “just a cup of cold water.”
Stan came home to Yorba Linda, submitted his resignation to the company, sold his home and his yacht, and moved to Ensenada to become the director of the City of Children, an orphanage caring for more than 100 children. It was here that Stan and Carole would spend more than 25 years rescuing hundreds of those abandoned little ones that would lovingly call Papa Gordo their father.
During those years, Stan would baptize over 500 children in Jesus’ name, never taking any credit for the long, endless hours he and Carole poured into the lives God placed in their care. Under his leadership, the home flourished. Yet Stan heard God’s voice calling him deeper.
In 1996, Rex Watson and I led a team of 60 teens and adults to The City of Children on a summer mission trip, when Stan approached me about a dream he had of growing the church in Baja. At the time, there were only three or four churches in the entire state. That bothered Stan. He knew when his children at the home turned 18, they would graduate and leave with no church in the communities they would return to. Stan asked Rex and me to go with him to San Quintin, an agricultural community three hours south of Ensenada, to explore the possibility of planting a church there. Reluctantly, I went — and my life was never really the same.
Twenty-five years later, God has used the seeds Stan planted to build and establish more than 20 churches and medical clinics throughout Baja. Through Stan’s hands, God used Rex Watson to establish and lead Baja Missions, an amazing nonprofit church-planting organization. And God used Stan to lead me down an unexpected missional road, for which I will always be grateful.
It’s truly an amazing story of a victorious life lived on mission. Stan and Carole never wavered from the calling they heard. The eternal impact of their lives of service will echo through American and Hispanic generations to come. Just think: God did all of this through the life of a man who thought he had it all.
With Appreciation
The Christian Chronicle appreciates gifts received in honor of Bill Tucker, Anthony and Barbara Turner and Patrick and Lynda Sheehan and in memory of Arthur Lee Adams, George Ann Allen, Evelyn Blount Anderson, Ronald Bedwell, Richard and Sue Birdsall, Dean Bryce, Eva Bush, Edna Champeau, Diane Cockrell, Sharon Crow, Lloyd Deal, Tim Evins, Edgar Haver, Gerald and Shelby Kennedy, Marguerite Knupke, Steve Martin, Paul and Alice Morgan, Thomas Olbricht, Micah Randolph-Hall, Grover Ross and Edwina Sanders.
