Pastor's Blog

Rita Sue (Ranager) Carpenter went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, March 27, 2023, while surrounded by her loving family. Sue was born in the Central Community of George County, MS, on June 19, 1941, to the late Theodore R. and Mildred Cochran Ranager.

Sue was a lifelong and devoted member of East Moss Point Baptist Church, where she was actively involved in many areas of the church’s ministry. As youth leaders together, Larry and Sue mentored several generations of young people, pointing them to Christ and filling their lives with love and laughter. Sue served in Gideons International Auxiliary on both the local and state levels. She served in Public Health working for the MS State Department of Health for 29 years. Sue will be remembered for her love of Christ, her quest for JOY, her servant’s heart, her love for her family and friends, and for her wonderful sense of humor and adventure.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 61 years, Larry Carpenter; children, Deanna Wetterer, Dwayne (Angela) Carpenter, David Carpenter, and Donna Sue Medina; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jordon) Zirlott, Dana (Brittany) Wetterer, Miriah (Justin) Phares, and Savannah (Matthew) Towles; great-grandchildren, Andrew, John Luke, Rowan and Ella Claire Zirlott, Bly, Magnolia “Nola” and Cypress Phares, and Elizabeth Rose “Ellie” Wetterer; and brothers, Joe Henry Ranager and Julian (Evelyn) Ranager; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS. The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 3:00 pm with Bro. Richard Crews officiating. The family will accept friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held at Serene Memorial Gardens with her grandsons, Dana Wetterer, Jordon Zirlott, Justin Phares, and Matthew Towles, and family friends, Pat Fell and Richard Canfield, serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons, Andrew, John Luke, and Rowan Zirlott.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sue’s memory to Gideon International-Moss Point Camp, P.O. Box 1027, Escatawpa, MS, 39552-1027.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:28 & 30

Bill Kendrick is scheduled to have surgery at some point today.  I am thinking probably around noon but my guess could be wrong.  Regardless, pray for Bill.  Pray the surgery will go well.

Here are the arrangements for Deanna Wetterer’s mother, Sue Carpenter.  Visitation with family tomorrow, 3/30, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM and then from 2:00PM until 3:00PM on Friday, 3/31.  The celebration of life service will take place on Friday, 3/31, beginning at 3:00PM.  Visitation and service from Heritage Funeral Home on Highway 63 in Moss Point, MS.  Pray for the Carpenter family.

Spoke to Nanette this morning.  Her father, Terrel Brooks, remains in CCU as they did not get a room ready for him yesterday.  He is doing ok but the tubes are aggravating him.  They will remove those today.  If no room becomes available, Terrel will be discharged tomorrow.  Keep praying for Terrel & Marie.

Elizabeth Sessions’ surgery yesterday was a success.  Pray for her now as she goes through the recovery process.

I do not have an up to date update on Clinton Stringfellow but do ask that you join me in continuing to pray for him.

Obviously, Myrtle Bowden continues to need our prayer support.  Pray for Sammy and the family too.

Keep praying for Michelle Fore’s mother.  I am thinking she may go back to her home within the next day or so.  She has been staying at Lee & Michelle’s.  Pray for this situation.

Continue to pray for Buddy Brewer, Gayla Dyess and Robert Baria in their respective situations.

One of Ann Clark’s sisters-in-law, Midge Broome, passed from this life.  The service takes place tomorrow, 3/30, in Richton, MS.  Pray for Midge’s family.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

I received a card from Jerry & Gloria Whitmore with great words of prayer support and encouragement.  Thank you Jerry & Gloria for your kindness to me.

Stacy & Gayla, thank you for the eggs!  Nice gift!

John Milton Ladnier replanted my garden this past Saturday afternoon.  What a great friend!  Did the twins help?  Are you serious!  Hiring them was like losing four good men!  Just saying!

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