Pastor's Blog

Thank you to each person who helped minister to the Bill Goff family through the meal yesterday afternoon.  Very much appreciated by the family and the pastor too!  Keep praying for the Goff family.

Also, thank you to each person who attended the visitation and/or service for Clara Broadus’ brother and family yesterday afternoon.  The burial will take place today in Spanish Fort, AL.  Please continue to pray.

I need to update the arrangements for Sue’s mother.  The visitation will take place this Saturday, 5/24, beginning at 2:00PM and lasting until a 3:00PM eulogy service.  Everything will take place in our auditorium.  Pray for the Doris Dowdy family.

The Friendship family will have the opportunity to minister to the Dowdy family through a meal following the service this Saturday.  Those helping are asked to bring the food to our Preschool Building by 2:30PM on Saturday.  The meal will then be taken to Henry & Sue’s house.  Thank you in advance to those who will be helping.

Robert Baria and Betty Hamil both remain in ICU.  Keep praying!

Tina Sprinkle remains hospitalized too and continues to need our prayers.

Bro. Johnny Tucker’s brother, Ernest, is also in ICU in a local hospital.  He is in pretty tough shape and prayers are appreciated.

I “think” Scott Fontenot will drive to Hattiesburg, MS to be with Hunter, Korie and the baby.  Nanette arrived there yesterday.  Pray for this family.

Bro. Abel and Candy will be celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary this week.  I pray it will be a good week for them.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Roy Durante Johns, a man of unwavering faith and deep devotion to family, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, at the age of 76.

Born on June 7, 1948, in Salem, Alabama, Roy was raised with strong work ethics that guided him throughout his life. He graduated from Baker High School and Troy State University before beginning a distinguished and proud career as an officer in the United States Air Force. Roy served his country with honor and dedication, embodying the principles of duty, discipline, and patriotism in every step of his military journey.

After retiring from the Air Force, Roy and his wife made their home in Brundidge, Alabama, where he spent many meaningful years with his family and community.

Roy’s life was deeply rooted in his Christian faith. He served faithfully as a Gideon, sharing the Word of God with conviction and compassion. His belief in the power of prayer and Scripture was a guiding light for his family and all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Anita LeGear Johns; his children, Roy Johns II (Nicole) and Angela Johns; and his grandchildren, Kacie Blankenship (Taylor), Roy Johns III (Mary Elizabeth), Lillian Boyer, and Eleanor Boyer. Roy was also a proud great-grandfather to Brayden, Blakelyn, Brent, and Roy Johns IV. He is also survived by five siblings, who will remember him with deep love and respect.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Walter Johns; his mother, Cora Lee Handley; and three siblings.

Roy will be remembered for his strong will, gentle wisdom, and the steadfast love he gave his family. He lived a life of purpose and principle, always putting his faith and loved ones first.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 19, 2025, from 4:00 until 5:00pm, at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope, followed by funeral services at 5:00pm.

Graveside services, with military honors, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00am at the Alabama State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL.

William L. ‘Bill’ Goff, 96 was born December 10, 1928, in Carrabelle, Florida. He passed away May 14, 2025, in Mobile, Alabama, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was the son of Thomas Daniel and Ollie Pickron Goff, both of whom predeceased him. Tom passed away when Bill was five years old and Ollie raised him as a single mother. She is to be commended for the wonderful man he became. Bill played in the swamps of Florida as a young boy; and the stories he could tell would fill many books. His grandchildren especially liked the ones about panthers! He could definitely embellish and his memory for detail was phenomenal.
Bill ‘s beloved wife and driving instructor, Sybil ‘Jackie’ Thompson Goff passed away in 2017, after 64 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jim, Dan and Earnest Goff, son-in-law Billy L. Anderson and several nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Bill and Jackie were parents to two daughters, Phyllis ‘P J’ Wilkinson (Ron) and Cindy Dubroc (Andre). They loved four grandchildren, Lael Anderson Bosarge, Ethan ‘Chip’ Anderson, Morgan Rowell Williamson (Brian) and Sybil Raye Anderson Poiroux (Jonathan); adored five great-grandchildren Alyssa Williamson, Maci Bosarge, Karleigh Williamson, Brian Thomas Williamson and Kollins Poiroux.

Bill accepted Christ as his Savior as a young man and was honored to become a deacon in the Baptist Church. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay. Bill was an Army veteran, serving 1946 and 1947. He was a long-standing member of a local Masonic lodge. His passion in life was operating heavy equipment and he was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 324 for fifty-eight years. After retiring in Michigan, he returned home to Florida, where he enjoyed shrimping, floundering and catching enough oysters to eat raw or make a stew. Following their move to Alabama to be near their children, Bill returned to work. He operated heavy equipment until he was in his mid-eighties. He then worked on his Honey-Do list and kept everything in working order for his daughters.

His family hoped and thought he would live forever. They will love and miss him for the rest of their lives.

Services will be held Monday May 19, 2025, at Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, Alabama 36582. Visitation for family is 12 PM, friends at 1:00 and funeral service with military honors at 2:00PM.

Good morning.  There is much to unpack this morning so stay with me.

First, Betty Hamil was taken by ambulance to the hospital early yesterday morning.  The doctor felt like surgery was an option but not the best option due to Betty’s age.  However, he went back to the hospital late yesterday afternoon, reviewed Betty’s case and then met with Andy telling him that immediate surgery was needed.  Surgery was successful.  The doctor then shared with Andy that, in his opinion, Betty would not have lived through the night if the surgery had not been performed.  Folks, I do not know the surgeon’s name or anything about him but I was very impressed.  Ditto for the hospital staff last night.  Special thanks to Clara Broadus & Crystal Switzer for faithfully standing with/beside Andy & Betty during this time.  Betty is in ICU for the time being.

Robert Baria remains in ICU.  He has covid but that is only a part of his problems.  Roseanne also has been diagnosed with covid.  So, this precious couple needs our prayer support and a touch from God.  Pray!

Tina Sprinkle has been in the hospital for a couple of days.  She has been in much pain.  Tina, as always, is more concerned about others than she is about herself.  What a sweet spirit.  Pray for Tina & Kevin.  Pray for healing in Tina’s body.

Scott’s & Nanette’s newest grandson is in the hospital.  Nanette will go today to help Hunter & Korie take care of the baby and do other things as well.  Pray for the King family!

The visitation with the Bill Goff family takes place today from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM service time at Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for the family.  Those who are helping with the meal for the Goff family need to have the food in the Preschool Building by 2:00PM today.  Thank you to each person helping in any way.  Pray for PJ, Cindy and the entire Goff family.

The visitation with the Roy Johns family is from 4:00PM until the 5:00PM service today at the Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope, Alabama.  Graveside services, with military honors, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00am at the Alabama State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL.  Pray for the John’s family.  We in the Friendship family are obviously praying for Roy’s sister, Clara Broadus, in a special way.

The visitation/service for Mrs. Doris Dowdy, Sue Wyse’s mother, will take place this Saturday, May 24.  Details forthcoming.  Pray for the Dowdy family.

Aaron Baisden’s paternal grandfather passed away and a memorial service took place yesterday in Louisiana.  Pray Aaron and family.

Yes, we were down attendance wise yesterday morning.  The covid virus hit the Friendship family hard – real hard.  However, last night’s soccer ceremony saw the auditorium filled to capacity plus including folks standing in the foyer.  Wow, amazing!  Bro. Abel led those folks to give toward our June GRACE Ministries trip and they gave $1,100 to build two houses – how about that!  Thank you folks for giving to the Lord!

Praying for you to have a great day with Jesus.

First, there are a number of folks within the Friendship family who have battled (some still are) the covid virus this week.  I can name nine confirmed cases and one or two more who will be tested today.  One couple told me that the doctors gave them nothing and did nothing except send them home to recover.  Pray for these folk and any others who may be battling a sickness.

Robert Baria was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  He is one of the ones battling covid as he tested positive.  Pray for Robert and Roseanne.

Clara Broadus had a brother, Roy Johns, pass from this life yesterday afternoon.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the family.

Sue Wyse’s mother, Miss Doris Dowdy, passed from this life last night.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the Dowdy family.

The visitation and service for the Bill Goff family takes place on Monday at Serenity.  Rita Boutwell and Clara Broadus will lead the church family in ministering to the Goff family by providing a meal following the service.  You can sign up by contacting one of these ladies or you can do so this Sunday morning in our Sunday School/service.

Our fish meal sales have seen an uptick over the past couple of days.  If you would like to place a pre-order, please contact Daphne at daphnehutto@gmail.com by noon today.  We want to make certain we have an ample supply of fish available.  Thank you to each person who has already ordered.  Again, all proceeds go to the ministry portion of our 6/12 – 19 GRACE Ministries trip.  By the way, all checks payable to GRACE Ministries.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning.  Sunday afternoon (5:00PM) will see our soccer closing ceremony.  If you do not have anyone involved in our soccer ministry, then you get a pass from attending, if you so desire.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

Korie King did give birth last night.  Scott did give me the details as far as weight, length, et cetera but I do not remember them – imagine that!  I do know that it is either a boy or girl!  Praise the Lord for the gift of life!

The arrangements have been completed for Bill Goff.  The public visitation will take place this Monday, 5/19, from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Keep praying for the Bill Goff family.  Obituary to come later.

Quick update this morning.

Bro. Bill Goff, our oldest male church member, passed from the life yesterday afternoon.  Pray for his daughters, PJ, Cindy and the entire family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

I am thinking that Korie Fontenot King has given birth by now but I am not sure.  Regardless, pray for Korie, Hunter, the baby and the family.

Need to order a fish meal for tomorrow night or Saturday morning.  Ten dollars each.  USA farm raised catfish.  Email Daphne at daphneturrentine@gmail.com.  All proceeds go to the ministry portion of our June 12 – 19 GRACE Ministries trip.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

It is almost 4:00AM as I write this entry.  Soon, I will be driving to Hartselle to spend time with Mama and other family members today.  Prayers appreciated.

Terrel Brooks did well through his surgery.  What a nice guy!  He is home recovering now.  Pray for a complete and quick recovery.

Bill Goff, age ninety-six, is seemingly nearing the end of his earthly life.  He is in his assisted living room.  PJ & Cindy, along with other family members, are faithfully sitting there with him.  I will update via the blog if anything changes (as soon as possible).  Pray for Bill and his family during this time.  Bill is a great guy!

The doctor admitted Korie Fontenot King to the hospital at 8:00PM last night and she will soon give birth to her first child.  Scott and Nanette left headed to Hattiesburg, MS late last night.  Pray for all to go well in the birth of this child.  Pray for Korie & Hunter, the medical folks, the family, et cetera.  (If only Korie would have listened to me Sunday morning.  Just saying!)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

I saw true sportsmanship displayed last night.  I will not go into the details but suffice it to say that, in my opinion, Denise Davila earned “coach of the year” last night.  She gets it!  Awesome stuff!

We need folks to sign up for the fish dinners to be served Friday night and Saturday morning.  Going to be good!  Email Daphne at daphnehutto@gmail.com to place an order.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

(No regular blog tomorrow but I will update Bill’s situation and the birth of Hunter & Korie’s child as soon as possible)

Fifty-five years ago today my maternal grandfather passed from this life.  Sadly, he was not prepared to meet Jesus.  I vividly remember the events of that day as though it was yesterday.  Death stings!

Terrel Brooks will have surgery today.  He is scheduled for a noon start which may mean 3:00PM.  I pray not.  Pray that all will go well in the surgery.

Clinton Stringfellow was in our service this past Sunday and will be having another chemo treatment this week.  He has such a positive spirit.  Keep praying for Clinton.

Eddie Albritton’s sister, Wendy, is also still taking chemo treatments.  She went to the doctor yesterday but I am not sure if that was for a chemo treatment.  Pray for Wendy.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in both services in the auditorium.

Lord willing, I will travel to Hartselle early tomorrow morning and return at some point on Thursday as my dad passed from this life five years ago tomorrow.  I am blessed to know that dad was ready to meet Jesus.  However, death stings!

Want to help our June 12 – 19 mission team do ministry?  Pre-order a fish dinner for either this Friday evening (5:00 – 6:00PM) or Saturday morning (10:00AM – 1:00PM).  Ten dollars a plate.  Send an email to daphnehutto@gmail.com.  Or, you can simply come to the concession tent either time but that are no guarantees that plates will still be available.  All proceeds will go directly to the ministry portion of the June trip.

Want to finance the building of a house ($550) or provide food for one hundred families ($800)?  Contact me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net for the details.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

We, like so many churches, were blessed with a really good Mother’s Day Sunday.  Strong attendance and a sweet spirit.  God is good and we give Him the praise.

Dede & Ian Tagert did a nice job of leading our children’s choir in their presentation yesterday morning.  I appreciate the work put in by them as well as the preschool choir which is directed by Leslie Herrington.  Choir is now off until the 2025-26 school year.

The flowers that were available yesterday morning were given by a couple within the Friendship family.  What a nice move on their part.  Much appreciated.

What a joy to recognize Miss Vinnie Brewer as the oldest mother present in our service yesterday.  She is faithful for a twenty-five year old or a ninety-five year old.  She is a very much loved and respected part of the Friendship family and I count it an absolute joy to serve as her pastor.

We had no new members join us yesterday.  Pretty much expected because it was Mother’s Day.  I do not know how much offering was given to the June GRACE Ministries missions trip ministry.  Two more Sundays to go for Members and Missions.

This Friday afternoon, 5/16, from 5:00 – 6:00PM and then Saturday, 5/17, from 10:00AM until 1:00PM there will be fish dinners available at the soccer concession stand.  US farm raised catfish.  Plates are ten dollars each.  Pre-orders end today.  Email Daphne at daphnehutto@gmail.com today to place your order.  Please note that the Saturday fish dinner sales could end earlier than 1:00PM if they sell out.

We will recognize our high school graduates for 2025 this Sunday morning during our morning service.  All graduates who plan to take part in this service need to make sure they have contacted Bro. Chris by this Wednesday.

Regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be in Hartselle so Bro. Abel will be doing the teaching in both services.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.