Pastor's Blog

Diane Bryant’s second cousin, Tristan Barger, 14 years of age, was struck by lightning while walking on a Florida beach on Monday.  He is in critical condition in a Pensacola hospital.

Tristan’s stepfather, Keith Brown, was also struck by lightning and pronounced dead at the scene.

The family lives in Chelsea, Alabama and were on vacation.

Pray for the Barger family.  Diane’s cousin, Ronnie, father of Tristan, was in Afghanistan and is scheduled to arrive in Pensacola tonight.

Edward Olsen Smyly age 91, a former shipyard burner of Grand Bay, AL, died Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Lynwood Nursing Home in Mobile, AL. He was born March 15, 1921in Magnolia, AL. Mr. Smyly who was affectionately know as “Paw” loved playing with his grandkids. He believed in hard work, sharing his garden and helping others. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and a World War II, U.S. Coast Guard veteran.

He is survived by his son, Howard Smyly; 2 daughters, Dona (Riley) Glass and Margy (Glenn) Perkins all of Grand Bay, AL; brother, Grant Smyly of Birmingham, AL; 6 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; numerous family, friends, and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Ray Smyly; parents, Frank and Virginia Smyly; & 11 of 13 siblings.

Visitation will be held at O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home on Friday, August 10, 2012 from 10:00 am until the 11:30 am service time. Burial will be at County Line Baptist Church Cemetery in Arlington, AL.

Mr. Edward Olson Smyly passed away yesterday afternoon.  He is the father of Dona Glass and Margy Perkins.  The arrangements are incomplete at this time but the visitation and service will take in Thomasville, Alabama.  Pray for the Smyly family.

The funeral service for Miss Betty Sprinkle will take place today at 10:00AM from the San Souci Baptist Church.  I appreciate those from the Friendship family who attended the visitation last night and encourage folks to attend the service today to support Kevin & Tina.

The funeral visitation and service for Joanne Moss, Larry’s sister-in-law, takes place today from the O’Bryant-O-Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula, MS.  I will be meeting with the family this morning at 10:00AM and then preaching that service at noon.

Miss Jackie Goff was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  Bro. Kerry visited her and I will do so this morning.

Miss Carolyn Kittles will have a stent put in the left side of her chest today.  The other two ports they have used for her dialysis are no longer usable.

Jay Jackson, grandson of Miss Exie Woods, has been diagnosed with plasmablastic lymphoma and is at the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Here is what I consider good news – Donald & Pat Butler have closed their florist but have decided to continue to do arrangements for those wishing to place flowers in the church on Sundays.  Donald & Pat have done an excellent job for many years of providing beautiful arrangements to be placed in the church and they deliver them on Sunday mornings.  So, if you are placing flowers in the church in honor or memory of someone, you may want to give them a call.  (If you tell Donald that I recommended them, he will increase the price by 10%!)

We are on a regular schedule today.  Bro. Jerry will be preaching this morning while Bro. Kerry will attend the service for Miss Sprinkle and I will be with the Moss family.

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