Avery tillman biography

W. T. CADDEN

W. T. Cadden served as pastor of Oak Dale Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Zephyrhills).

RICHARD. T. CADDIN

Richard T. Caddin was born December 26, 1841, in Colleton County, South Carolina. On March 31, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 11th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry, CSA. He was wounded at Cold Harbor in 1864, hospitalized, captured March 1865 at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, imprisoned at Hilton Head, South Carolina, and paroled in June. He came to Florida in 1867 and lived in Polk and Pasco counties. Polk pastorates include Caddin’s Chapel (East Side), Griffin, Gapway, Pleasant Hill Second, and Green Pond. Pasco pastorates were Clay Sink, County Line, Oakdale (First, Zephyrhills), Double Branch (First, Wesley Chapel), Five Mile Prairie/Six Mile Pond, and Pleasant Hill/Macon. In Hillsborough, he pastored Tampa’s Second Baptist, Ybor City, and Turkey Creek. He also was a missionary for Pasco Association, 1890-1891, and the Florida Baptist State Convention. He died March 21, 1916, and was memorialized as “a faithful comrade” by Lakeland Camp No. 1543, UCV.9. He was buried at Mount Olive Cemetery, Polk City.

JULIA THAMEL CADENHEAD

Julia Thamel Cadenhead (1947- ) was born in Florala, AL. She graduated from Samford University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cadenhead served as associate campus director, Tampa Area of the Baptist Campus Ministry for the Florida Baptist Convention.

MAX EUGENE CADENHEAD

Max Eugene Cadenhead (1930-June 6, 1991) was a native of Oklahoma. He graduated from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cadenhead served as president of the Michigan Baptist State Convention in 1968 to 1969, and the Florida Baptist Convention in 1986. He moved to Florida in 1970 as pastor of First Baptist Church, Dover and served until 1975. He worked with the evangelism department of the Florida Baptist Convention from 1975 to 1982. He was serving First Baptist Church, Naples as pastor at the time of his death. He went there in 1982 and served until 1991. Cadenhead conducted over 200 revival meetings in 13 states and foreign countries. He and his wife, Doris, had two daughters, Darlene and Cindy, and one son, Jerry.

JOHN CAIN

John Cain served as pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol.

CARROLL D. CALDWELL

Carroll D. Caldwell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crestview, from 1967-1974. Caldwell was a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

ROY CALDWELL

Roy Caldwell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Gray Gables, 1957-1958.

CAROLYN L. CALHOUN

Carolyn L. (Mrs. Edward) Calhoun (b. 1944) was the 2022 Baptist Heritage Award recipient presented by the Florida Baptist Historical Society. Mrs. Calhoun, a lifelong member of the Ancient City Baptist Church, St. Augustine, Florida, was recognized for her preservation and promotion of her local church’s history. She worked diligently to collect, organize and preserved the history of the church that was established in 1887. Mrs. Calhoun researched and identified numerous basic facts that are missing from the church’s 100^th anniversary history book published in 1987. She developed and published, a chronological narrative of the church’s early history and added supplemental information bringing the church’s history narrative to a contemporary status.

Prior to her history-preservation volunteer service in the church, Mrs. Calhoun, served a variety of other volunteer positions in the church including as a Sunday School teacher of various age groups over the years, worked on several church committees and currently is a church greeter. Mrs. Calhoun’s professional career for over twenty years was devoted as a reading specialist teacher for the St. Johns’ County School Board. She attended the then called St. Johns Junior College and subsequently graduated from the Flagler College with a degree in Education. She did additional study at the University of North Florida to secure credentials as a Reading Specialist to teach grade school children who lacked age-appropriate reading skills.

A. B. CALKINS

A. B. Calkins served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Jasper.

ALBERT E. CALKINS

Albert E. Calkins (1885-1939) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Callahan, First Baptist Church, White Springs, 1917 and Ancient City Baptist Church from 1918-1938. United States President-elect Warren Harding and his party attended worship services at Ancient City on February 19, 1921, when Calkins was pastor. He also served as pastor of churches in Jasper and Jacksonville. Calkins served as associational missionary for the Jacksonville Baptist Association, 1911 and 1913. He and his wife Nellie Rosalee Stoddard Calkins had two daughters.

E. H. CALLAWAY

E. H. Callaway was the first pastor of the oldest Southern Baptist Church in Florida. When the Campbellton Church was organized on March 12, 1825 the ministers who assisted those 19 Baptists were Jeremiah Kembril and E. H. Callaway. Then on Sunday, March 13, 1825 the church called Callaway as their first pastor.

THOMAS M. CALLAWAY

Thomas M. Callaway moved from Talladega, Alabama, to go as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pensacola. He served there from 1906-1910. There were 39 Baptist preachers in the Callaway family.

RILEY CALVERT

Riley Calvert served as pastor of First Baptist Church Brandon from 1921-1924.

W. E. CALVERT

W. E. Calvert was pastor of South Bay Baptist Church in 1932.

C. H. CALVIN

C. H. Calvin served as pastor of Eden Baptist Church, Brooksville.

ETHEL MAY CALZADILLA

Ethel May Williamson Calzadilla (1919-2001) was born in Fisk, Missouri. She taught kindergarten at the Goodwill Center, Key West. Calzadilla was married to Anthony Calzadilla and had three sons.

ELIU CAMACHO

Eliu Camacho (1940- ) graduated from William Carey College, Hattiesburg, MS, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Camacho served as HMB/FBC Language Missions Catalyst in the Southwest Gulf Coast area.

FRANK CAMAROTTI

Frank Camarotti is a graduate of the Baptist College of Florida. Camarotti became pastor of Five Points Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach in 2013. He served as pastor of Blackrock Baptist Church for 24 years and he and his wife Diane Served in Romania from 2008-2010. The Camarotti’s have three children.

JOHN CAMELS

John Camels served as pastor of Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol.

A. C. CAMP

A. C. Camp served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crawfordville.

AVERY TILLMAN CAMP

Avery Tillman Camp (October 15, 1869-December 5, 1942) was born in Liberty County, Mississippi. He was self taught and then taught school for awhile in Mississippi. Camp preached in Mississippi and Alabama before moving to Florida. He served as pastor in Greenville, Bonifay, Chipley (1915-1924), and the Chipley area. He and his wife had three children, Paul, John, and Grace.

FLOYD CAMP

Floyd Camp (1913-1987) served as pastor in Illinois and Florida. Camp served Braden River Baptist Church in Bradenton from 1970 to 1978, and Dixie Highway Baptist Church in Auburndale. He and his wife, Hazel, had four children, Donald, Lois, Marcella, and Allen.

J. R. CAMP

J. R. Camp served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodville.

A. B. CAMPBELL

In 1867 A. B. Campbell was pastor of Summer Hill and Thomasville, Georgia, in the Florida Baptist Association.

ARVAN RAY CAMPBELL

Arvan Ray Campbell (1955- ) was born in New Orleans, LA. He graduated from Dillard University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Campbell served as pastor of New Testament Community Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, 1996-2000 and as Regional Director African-American Ministries FBC-church planting, 2006-2013. He and his wife Christine had three daughters.

CHARLES D. CAMPBELL

Charles D. Campbell (1842-) was born in Clinton, GA to J. H. Campbell and wife. Campbell graduated from Mercer University in 1860 and served as a chaplain in the Confederate army. He was ordained in Griffin, GA in 1863. Campbell served churches in Georgia and Florida, including the Quincy Baptist Church (1867), Indian Springs Baptist Church (1870-1871), Mt. Zion Baptist Church (1871-1874), and Liberty Baptist Church (1871-1872).

DOAK SHERIDAN CAMPBELL

Doak Sheridan Campbell (November 16, 1888-March 23, 1973) was born at Tate (Scott County) Arkansas. He was the son of Edward S. T. Campbell and Elizabeth DeWitt Hunsucker Campbell. Edward was a physician and Elizabeth was a housewife. Doak had two sisters, Nellie Ann Campbell Cammack (1889), Cecil Byrd Campbell (1892), and three brothers, Day Hamilton (1898), Curtis Rogers (1900), and Paul Temple (1901). Campbell grew up in the communities of Tate (1888-1892), Golden City (1892-1898), Tone (1898-1901), and Hon (1901-1910), Arkansas. Doak Campbell graduated from Poteau Valley High School in Hon, Arkansas (1905); Ouachita Baptist College (A.B., 1911); and George Peabody College (M.A., Ph.D., 1928-1031). Campbell married Helen Gray Smith (1890)-1938) on May 28, 1913, in Augusta, Arkansas. They had two children, Doak S. Campbell, Jr., (February 28, 1915) and Elizabeth Caroline (November 12, 1920). After the death of Helen, Campbell married Edna S. Simmons on February 5, 1941, in Washington, D.C. Campbell served as public school teacher, superintendent, State Sunday School and Baptist Young People s Union Director, author, college president, college dean, and university president. Campbell was converted at age 15 in 1903, and was baptized at Hon Baptist Church in Hon, Arkansas. He served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon for over 40 years. He served as President of Central College in Conway, Arkansas. He also served as Dean of Peabody College. In 1949 he was the President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Campbell became President of Florida College for Women in 1941, and presided over its transition to the Coeducational Florida State University from which he retired in 1957. He was the author of numerous works and his When Do Teachers Teach (1935), A Sunday School Teacher’s Guide is still used today. Campbell served as President of the Arkansas Baptist Convention and the Florida Baptist Convention (1948). He was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Ouachita, Stetson, Florida Southern, Bob Jones, Florida State University, and Tampa University.

ERNEST R. CAMPBELL

Ernest R. Campbell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hialeah.

J. H. CAMPBELL

J. H. Campbell was an aged minister who served as missionary in the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Florida Baptist Association in 1867.

JOHN E. G. CAMPBELL

John Edward Graham Campbell (1845-1937) was a veteran of the Civil War. He served as pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Quincy. Campbell and his wife, Annie R. McIver Campbell had six children, Clarence, Edward, Charles, A. B., Eva and Harriet.

STROTHER A. CAMPBELL

Strother A. Campbell was a native of West Virginia. He graduated from Broaddus College, Denison University, Crozer Theological Seminary and the University of Pennsylvania. In 1931 Stetson University conferred on him the degree of doctor of divinity. He served as pastor of churches in West Virginia, and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, 1929-1934.

W. P. CAMPBELL

W. P. Campbell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hastings.

WALTER C. CAMPBELL, SR.

Walter C. Campbell, Sr. (1939-2010) was a native of Pahokee, Florida. He was founder and pastor of Bayview Baptist Church, Clearwater for 35 years. He and his wife, Annie had three daughters, Erma, Janice and Cynthia.

WALTER L. CAMPBELL

Walter L. Campbell served as director of missions for the Walton County Baptist Association, 2001-2002 and pastor of South Walton Baptist Church, Santa Rosa Beach (now Church by the Bay).

J. W. CANES

J. W. Canes served as pastor of Ferndale Baptist Church, Apopka, 1937.

JOE CANIPE

Joe Canipe (1954- ) was the son of Dwight and Geraldine Canipe. He served as pastor of Northside Baptist Mission, Riverside. Canipe and his wife Elaine Calloway Canipe now serve on the ministry team of Macedonia Baptist Church, Lincolnton, NC. They have three children.

ALBERT BROWN CANNADY

Albert Brown Cannady (1873-1944) was born in Granville County, North Carolina, and educated in the public schools of Silver City, North Carolina, and Wake Forest. Cannady served as pastor of New Smyrna, Vero Beach, Lake Worth, Crescent City, High Springs, New Port Richey, and Ortega Church in Jacksonville. Cannady died on February 24, 1944, while serving as pastor of Ortega Baptist Church. He had married Edith Bennett Cannady, and she and a loving church grieved his death.

HENRY CANNINGTON, JR.

Henry Cannington, Jr. served for 30 years as a church pastor. He serves as the associational mission strategist for the Taylor Baptist Association (2020). He his married to Anne Cannington.

K. C. CANNON

K. C. Cannon served as pastor of San Pedro Baptist Church, Taylor Baptist Association, 1972, 1977, 1982.

SAYER J. CANOVA

Sayer J. Canova (1922-1998) was born in St. Louis, Mo. He graduated from John Brown University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in the United States Navy in WWII. Canova served as pastor of First Baptist Church, White Springs (1958-1960); First Baptist Church, Jasper; Branford, and for 20 years he served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Edgewater (1965-1984). Canova served as chaplain of numerous baseball teams in spring training. He would sketch nationally known sports figures and used his art in evangelism. In 1947 Canova married Frances and they had four sons: Dennis Lee, Courtney, Jay, Timothy and one daughter Grace.

CRAIG CANTON

Craig Canton graduated from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (D. Min.). He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Westminster, South Carolina and became pastor of Northwest Baptist Church in Gainesville in 2010. He and his wife Melinda have two daughters.

FRANK WARREN CAPELL

Frank Warren Capell (1907-1993) was a native of Hawthorne, and a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of several churches in Florida including Paran Baptist Church, Grandin. He was a member of the Florida Baptist Convention staff for 20 years, serving in the church training department. He and his wife, Edith Evone Capell, had three daughters, Cynthia, Sharon, and Susan, and one son, David.

TOM E. CAPELL

Tom E. Capell (-2010) served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Leesburg. He served as director of missions for the Big Lake Association. He and his wife Catherine had four children.

BRIAN CAPLES

Brian Caples graduated from Florida State University in Tallahassee and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He and his wife, Dianne, have two children.

ANDREW CARAKER

Andrew Caraker served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Sarasota.

MARCUS CARAWAY

Marcus Caraway graduated from the Baptist College of Florida, Graceville. He served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1992-1995, Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, and First Baptist Church, Bratt. Caraway and his wife Kathy McCann have three children.

JOSE CARDOSO

Jose Cardoso (1929-) born in Penns Grove, NJ. He graduated from Stetson University, and Southeastern Baptist Seminary. Cardoso served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Osteen, Coronada Baptist Church, New Smyrna, Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka from 1961-1969 and again from 1979-1989. He and his wife, Delores Jane Pace Cardoso, had three daughters and one son.

GENE CARLAN

Gene Carlan was the son of Johnny and Annie Mae Reid Carlan.He served as pastor of Magnolia Baptist Church, Altha, 1979-1982. Carlan and his wife, Martha Jo had two children.

HOWARD JUDSON CARLISLE

Howard Judson Carlisle (1873-1952) was listed as an ordained minister in the 1908-1920 West Florida Baptist Association. Carlisle served as pastor of Cromaton Baptist Church, 1906 and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church (now Youngstown), 1907. In May, 1961, Carlisle’s sister, Mrs. L. C. West donated 10 lots to East Bay Baptist Church with the request that the church’s name be changed to Howard Carlisle Baptist Church in memory of her brother. Howard Carlisle Baptist Church is located in Callaway.

WAYLON CARLISLE

Waylon Carlisle is a graduate of Carson-Newman (B.A.) and Emmanuel Baptist University in Shelby, North Carolina (M.S., Ph.D.). Carlisle has served as pastor of West Side Baptist Church, Lake Wales (1972-1978) and Eastside Baptist Church, Plant City. In 2008 he became pastor of Alafia Baptist Church, Lithia. He has served as moderator of Ridge Association twice and moderator of Shiloh Association three times. He and his wife, Jean Rogers Carlisle, have four daughters; Pam, Kim, Lisa, and Lorrie.

BILLIE CARLTON

Billie Carlton served as pastor of Fort McCoy Baptist Church, Marion County.

DOYLE ELAM CARLTON, SR.

Doyle Elam Carlton, Sr. (1887-1972) was born in Wauchula, the son of Martha W. McEwen and Albert Carlton. He graduated from Stetson University, Chicago University and Columbia University. Carlton practiced law in Tampa, served on the Florida State Senate and was elected the 25^th Governor of the State of Florida in 1929. He was a lifelong deacon for the First Baptist Church, Tampa. He and his wife Nell Ray had three children.

DOYLE I. CARLTON

Doyle I. Carlton (1908-1998) served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1969. Carlton was a citrus grove owner, businessman and banker who had a key role in the growth and development of Merritt Island. Carlton, who dedicated his life to the service of church and community, was an active longtime deacon at First Baptist Church, Merritt Island. [His father, Doyle Elam Carlton, Sr. (1885-1972) was a faithful Baptist who served as Florida’s twenty-fifth governor (1929-1933).]

H. A. CARLTON

H. A. Carlton served as pastor of East Palatka First Baptist Church.

JAMES R. CARLTON

James R. Carlton served as pastor of Whitney Baptist Church and Westside Baptist Church, 1953-1962, both of Leesburg. He and his wife Margaret Hayter Carlton had three children.

O. B. CARLTON

O. B. Carlton (1914-1968) was born in Moultrie, Georgia. He was licensed to preach by Westside Baptist Church, Leesburg, 1965. Carlton served as pastor of Okhumpka Baptist Church and Orange Home Baptist Mission. He and his wife, Mildred Stewart Carlton had two children.

W. W. CARLTON

W. W. Carlton served as a Baptist preacher in the South Florida Association and died on July 24, 1903.

WILLIAM T. CARLTON

In 1867 William T. Carlton served as pastor of Oclawaha Church in Marion County. In 1873 he preached the opening sermon of the Alachua Baptist Association Meeting. He died in March 1891.

BILL CARMICHAEL

Bill Carmichael served as pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 1981-1982.

PAUL D. CARMICHAEL

Paul D. Carmichael (1927-2019) was born in Jacksonville, Florida, the son of Paul D. and Bertha Carmichael. He held his first pastorate while still a student at Stetson University and then continued his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in North Florida and Georgia, including First Baptist Church, Callahan and North Park Baptist Church, Orlando. Carmichael served as pastor of Ancient City Baptist Church in St. Augustine from 1962-1969. He was a native of Jacksonville Beach. While serving as pastor of Ancient City Baptist Church in St. Augustine, he helped start Anastasia Baptist Church. He left Ancient City to become pastor in Valdosta, Georgia. Dixon Free was ordained by the church in 1962. Angel Martinez led in a revival meeting in July 1963 that resulted in 192 new additions to come into the church. Paul and Minnie Carmichael later stated that the Ancient City years were probably their best years in the ministry. The Carmichael’s had three children.

WILLIAM M. CARMICHAEL, JR.

William M. Carmichael, Jr. (1940- ) was born in Jacksonville, FL. He graduated from Norman College, GA, Valdosta State College, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Carmichael served as pastor of College Park Baptist Church, Palatka, 1968-1970 and as Church Training Union/ Discipleship Training Dept for the Florida Baptist Convention, 1970-2009. He and his wife Patsy Delores Walters Carmichael had three children.

HOWARD LEE CARMICLE, JR.

Howard Lee Carmicle, Jr. was born in Liberty, Kentucky, the son of Beatrice Mae Rodgers and Howard Lee Carmicle, Sr. He graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1977. Carmicle served as pastor of College Park Baptist Church, Palatka. He and his wife Elianor Clark Carmicle have two children.

BOB CARNES

Bob Carnes served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church, 1956-1958.

ALBERT L. CARNETT

Albert L. Carnett (June 22, 1911-September 29, 1970) was born in Chafee, Missouri, the son of Frank and Dora Montgomery Cornett. His father was a Southern Baptist minister and his mother was a housewife. Albert married Lois Johnson of Altoona, Florida, on June 5, 1931, and they had two children (Marion and Carol). Carnett attended Stetson University (B.A., 1936) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.B., 1937; Th.M., 1940). He also received a D.D. degree from Stetson University. Carnett served as President of the Florida Baptist Convention (1951-1952) and in numerous other denominational posts. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Apopka 1932-1936, and Woodland Baptist Church in Jacksonville for 13 years and is best known as having served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Winter Haven, Florida, from 1954 to 1970.

ROD CARPENTER

Rod Carpenter served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

CALVIN J. CARR

Calvin J. Carr is a graduate of the University of Florida, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves as pastor of North Central Baptist Church, Gainesville. Carr and his wife Kelly have five children.

EDWARD E. CARR

Edward E. Carr was pastor of Key West Baptist Church in 1927.

WILLIAM C. CARR, JR.

William C. Carr, Jr. (1915-1981) was born in Gainesville, Florida, the son of William Curtis, Sr. and Louise Thomas Carr. He graduated from the University of Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Carr served as pastor of Wabasso Baptist Church. He served as the field secretary/missionary for the Indian River and Brevard Baptist Associations, 1954-1957 and Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Baptist Associations, 1957-1975. Carr and his wife, Dell Lovey Griffin Carr had three children.

WILLIE D. CARR

Willie D. Carr served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Holt, and First Baptist Church, Ensley.

G. W. CARRELL

G. W. Carrell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona, 1915.

ROBERT D. CARRIN

Robert D. Carrin was a native of Perry, Florida. He graduated from Mercer University and Baptist Bible Institute (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary). Carrin served as an Army chaplain, retiring as a major. He served as pastor of churches in Alabama, New Jersey and Florida, including, First Baptist Church, Stuart. Carrin served as a missionary for the Suwannee Baptist Association, 1936-1937.

EDWARD DEWITT CARRINGTON

Edward Dewitt Carrington (1931-2018) was born in Lockhart, Alabama, the son of Edward and Frieda Carrington. He served in the U. S. Navy. At the age of 60 Carrington was called to the ministry and served as pastor of Stump Springs Baptist Church for 20 years. Carrington and his wife, Shirley had two sons, Alan and David.

C. L. (LESLIE) CARROLL

C. L. Carroll (Leslie) served as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs.

CECIL B. CARROLL

Cecil B. Carroll (1910-1970) was born in Dothan, Alabama. Carroll worked from 1930 until his death in 1970 for Independent Life and Accident Ins. Co. He served on the Florida State Board of Missions and on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. Carroll served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1954-1955. He and his wife, Lena Carroll had two daughters.

CLARENCE LEE CARROLL

Clarence Lee Carroll (November 23, 1906-February 6, 1971) was born in Georgia. He moved to Ocala and married Nellie Mae Ward in 1926. Carroll served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Palatka, Mount Olive in Hastings, Interlachen, Sardis in Worthington Springs, and First Baptist Church, Charlotte Harbor from 1957 to 1971. Carroll and his wife, Nellie, had one daughter named Nettie.

G. WEBSTER CARROLL

G. Webster Carroll was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. He graduated from Carson-Newman College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Carroll and his wife, Betty served as missionaries to Uganda. He served as Missionary-in-Residence for the Florida Baptist Convention, 1975-1976. The Carroll’s had two children, Tom and Melody.

GEORGE W. CARROLL

George W. Carroll was pastor of West Side Church in 1927.

JOE CARROLL

Joe Carroll served as pastor of Homeland Baptist Church, Tampa, Pine Grove Baptist Church, Mulberry and Mount Olive Baptist Church, Lakeland.

WILLIAM J. CARROLL

William J. Carroll was a medical doctor and a Florida Baptist preacher. He served as field missionary for the Florida Baptist Association, 1874 and for Beulah Baptist Association, 1892. Carroll died in 1896.

C. A. CARSON

Senator C. A. Carson served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1911.

A. Z. CARSWELL

A. Z. Carswell served as pastor of Sharon Baptist Church, (now First Baptist Church, Callahan).

E. R. CARSWELL

E. R. Carswell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake City, 1901.

A. W. CARTER

A. W. Carter served in the Jackson County Baptist Association and died in 1926.

C. W. CARTER

C. W. Carter served as pastor of First Black Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms.

DANNY CARTER

Danny Carter serves as pastor of Glencoe Baptist Church, New Smyrna Beach. He graduated from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Pineville, KY. Carter and his wife Jennifer have three children.

FRANK L. CARTER SR.

Frank L. Carter Sr. (1936-2000) was the organizing pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Highland Pines, Tampa. He had lived in Tampa since 1957. He and his wife, Ernestine, had three daughters, Jennifer, Sharon, and Cassandra, and one son, Frank Jr.

I. T. CARTER

I. T. Carter served as pastor of Corinth Baptist Church, Jasper, 1950-1953.

J. M. CARTER

J. M. Carter served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Conway.

J. DAVID CARTER

J. David Carter served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Graceville, Florida (1976-1981), First Baptist Church in Clermont, Florida, and then joined the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in the area of stewardship development. Carter graduated from Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Polly, had one son, Jim.

JOHN CARTER

John Carter served as pastor of Sugarloaf Baptist Mission in 1982.

JOSEPH PERRY CARTER

Joseph Perry Carter (October 8, 1894- ) was born in Fletcher, North Carolina, the son of Leonard P. Carter and Nannie Garren Carter. His father was a farmer and his mother a housewife. Carter had one brother and two sisters. In his younger years Carter lived in Fletcher, North Carolina (1894-1902; 1908-1912). He also lived in Boise, Idaho (1902-1904), and DeQueen, Arkansas (1904-1908). He attended Fruitland Institute in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and graduated from Carson-Newman College (A.B., 1926) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1930). He was converted at the age of nine and ordained at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, North Carolina, in 1926. He served as evangelistic singer (1919-1924), pastor of Forest Hill Baptist Church, Newport, Tennessee (1925-1926), Ormsby Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky (1927-1935), Felix Memorial, Lexington, Kentucky (1935- 1937), Carlisle Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky (1937-1943), Flagler Street, Miami (1950-1959) and Superintendent of the Baptist Retirement Home of Florida. Carter married Mary Grace Wells on August 28, 1923, at Rutherfordton, North Carolina. They had two children, Betty Rae (August 28, 1926) and Mary Jo (March 31, 1932).

RUSSELL C. CARTER

Russell C. Carter (1904-2014) served as a bombardier in the US Navy during WWII. Carter served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Clermont. Carter also pastored churches in Jacksonville and Tampa He and his wife, Barbara had three children.

PAUL CARTMILL

Paul Cartmill served as pastor of Union Hill Baptist Church, 1989-1992.

REINALDO CARVAJAL

Reinaldo Carvajal graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Stirling Road Baptist Church in Hollywood, Florida, from 1977 to 1982, and Tamiami Baptist Church in Miami. He served as Spanish Youth Camp director with the Foreign Mission Board from 1981 to 1983. He and his wife, Rita, served as catalytic missionaries in Miami under the appointment of the Home Mission Board.

CLYDE CASE

Clyde Case served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, Hilliard.

JOHN CASHMEN

John Cashmen (1851-1917) served as pastor of Lemon City Church in 1913, and Millville Baptist Church, Panama City.

GARY CASON

Gary Cason was born in Lake City, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida. Cason served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Boca Raton. He and his wife Charisse have three daughters.

J. H. CASON

J. H. Cason was pastor of Pahokee Baptist Church in 1926.

JIM CASON

Jim Cason served as pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church.

P. I. CASON

P. I. Cason served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Palatka.

RICHARD CASON

Richard Cason served as pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Lake City and Madison Street Baptist Church, Starke.

THOMAS CASON

Thomas Cason served as a pastor in the Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, New River Association in 1899 and died at Starke in 1902.

ROBERT CASSIBRY

Robert Cassibry (1930-2017) served as pastor in Alabama and Florida including First Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze. He and his wife Janis had three children.

J. S. CASTEAL

J. S. Casteal served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Altoona, 1937-1939.

MISAEL CASTILLO

Misael Castillo a native of Cuba served as director of Migrant Ministries for the Florida Baptist Convention and pastor of Iglesia Bautista Jerusalen, Allapatah.

JERRY CASTLEBERRY

Jerry Castleberry served as pastor of Parkway, Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

RUSSIAN N. CATE

Russian N. Cate served as a pastor in Florida and died in 1911. Cate had a very special gift, he was a builder of church buildings and he would serve as pastor while the building was being constructed. He could build a church house for $2,500. He did this at Jacksonville, Crescent City and Apopka. Cate served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Barberville

HUGH S. CATER

Hugh S. Cater (1942- ) was born in Augusta, GA. He graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville and the University of Florida. Cater served in the Association Brotherhood Dept. (1984-1990), as marketing manager for the Florida State convention-owned camps and assemblies (1990-1992), Volunteers Director, Brotherhood (1992-1995) and Director, New Work Assistance (1995-2008). Cater and his wife, Patricia Bob Winter Cater have two sons.

MARION H. CATES

Marion H. Cates attended Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. He served as pastor of Caney Creek Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs and Lake View Baptist Church, Miami. He and his wife Billie Ann Odom Cates had three children.

BOB CATLEDGE

Bob Catledge served as pastor of Oakland Baptist Church, Perry.

SIDNEY JOHNSTON CATTS

Sidney Johnston Catts (July 31, 1863-March 9, 1936) was born in Pleasant Hill, Alabama, to Adeline R. Smyly Catts and Samuel W. Catts. Catts briefly attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College in Auburn, and Howard College in Marion, Alabama, before receiving a law degree from Cumberland University in Tennessee. Catts practiced law in Alabama for three years and then entered the ministry in 1895. He had married Alice May in 1886. Catts led a very colorful and controversial career. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tuskegee, Alabama, and then pastor of First Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Catts ran successfully as Governor of Florida on the Prohibition Party ticket and served from 1917-1921. His service as governor was ever endingly filled with political dynamite as his main themes were race, rum, and religion. He was able to get some important reforms on the treatment of prisoners and was an advocate of women s suffrage.

DAVID EDWARD CAUSEY

David Edward Causey (August 26, 1929-March 27, 2008) was born in Phoenix City, Alabama. He graduated from Eufaula High School (1948), and was licensed to preach the same year. He graduated from Howard College (1954), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1960). He married Dorothy McRae and they had three sons. Causey served as pastor of Bay Ceia Baptist Church, Tampa, First Baptist Church, Brooksville (1974-1989), and as Director of Missions for the Santa Rosa Association (1989-1996).

TOMMY CAUSEY

Tommy Causey (1934-2017) was born in Tuscaloosa, AL the son of John And Willie Lou Causey. He served as pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Grand Ridge, Orange Hill, Chipley, Baldwin Avenue, Defuniak Springs, Pine Barren Baptist Church, Davisville, 1977 and West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville, 1978-1991. He and his wife, Minnie Causey had three children.

SAL CAVARRETTA

Sal Cavarretta served as pastor of the Boca Raton campus of Family Church and Grace Gathering Church, Boca Raton.

KING WOLSEY CAWTHON

King Wolsey Cawthon was from Atlanta, Georgia, and served as pastor of Ancient City Baptist Church from 1901-1902. He and his wife became Southern Baptist Foreign Missionaries to Argentina on December 17, 1903.

JOHN CAYLOR, JR.

John Caylor, Jr., was a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was called to the ministry in the fall of 1940. He served as pastor of a mission in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1941, then as pastor in Ruby, Louisiana, in 1942 to 1944. He resigned to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and then served as a Navy chaplain in the Marin Corps. Caylor then served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Madison, Florida, on June 15, 1947.

EMMANUEL CESAR

Emmanuel Cesar (1939- ) was born in St. Marc, Haiti. He graduated from Seminaire Theologique Batists d’Haiti, Limbe, Haiti, Burlington Co. College, Pemberton, NJ and Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton. Cesar served as pastor of United Haitian Baptist, West Palm Beach and Emmaus Haitian Baptist, Ft. Lauderdale. He served as missionary associate, HMB, Haitian Consultant, Florida. Cesar and his wife Yvette have two children.

J. H. CHAMBERS

J. H. Chambers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lake Mary.

KINSEY CHAMBERS

Kinsey Chambers (April 7, 1814 — August 22, 1889) was a Milledgeville, Georgia, native, who was ordained into the ministry in 1839. He subsequently moved to the Florida Territory and settled in Columbia County and became the organizing pastor of the Ephesus Baptist Church at King’s Ferry (in present-day Nassau County) in 1845. As an itinerant missionary-preacher for nearly the next three decades, Chambers served as pastor of six churches – Bethlehem Church at Lake City; Deep Creek and Sharon Churches in Callahan; Ephesus and Hebron Churches at King’s Ferry; and Mount Pleasant Church at Wellborn – until 1872 when he was employed by the Florida Baptist State Convention as the statewide missionary-evangelist. Previously in 1867, during his pastoral service at the Wellborn Mount Pleasant church he was elected as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention. Chambers was instrumental in the formation of the Santa Fee Missionary Baptist Association in 1857 (later renamed the Santa Fe River Baptist Association). He then served for two years as the association’s domestic missionary and was responsible for the starting of eight churches in a single year. He baptized over 500 persons during his lifetime ministry.

LARRY M. CHAMBERS

Larry M. Chambers (1936-2015) was born in White Deer, PA; the son of James Benjamin and Faye Ellen Koch Chambers. is a graduate of Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville and of Dallas Baptist College. He pastored churches in Maryland, Kentucky and Florida, including, Clarksville Church, Clarksville; Bridge Creek Church, Ponce de Leon; Beverly Hills Church, Jacksonville; and in 1980 went as pastor of First Baptist Church of North Miami. Chambers and his wife Janet Kay Collison Chambers were married in 1958 and they had three children.

GREGORY B. CHAMPAGNE

Gregory B. Champagne (August 18, 1955- ) trusted Christ as his saviour at age 11 and was baptized at the East Brent Baptist Church in Pensacola. He was raised in a Christian home and his great-grandfather was a Baptist minister in Florida. Champagne completed junior college in Jacksonville (A.A., 1975) and later graduated from Stetson University (B.A., 1977), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, Kentucky (M.Div., 1980), and Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia (D.Min. 1998). Champagne was licensed to ministry in May 1975, as he was much involved in Lake Shore Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida. He served as Minister of Youth at First Baptist Church, Conway, Florida. While in seminary, Champagne served as pastor of Union Baptist Church, Greensbury, Indiana. He served as pastor of Norwood Baptist Church, St. Petersburg (1983-1985), First Baptist Chapel, Casselberry (1985-1989), First Baptist Church, Brooksville (1990-2005). In 2005 Champagne was part of a group who formed New Journey Worship. He has served widely in denominational service and written for various publications. He and his wife, V. LeeAnn Calhoun Champagne, have two children; Megan and Tyler.

RONNIE L. CHAMPION

Ronnie L. Champion served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Harold.

FREDRICK BROWN CHANCE

Fredrick Brown Chance (1923-1971) was the son of Vernie Ezra and Bessie Lois Cope Chance. He graduated from Stetson University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chance served as pastor of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, Pensacola, 1952-1962 and First Baptist Church, Sanford. He married Alba Mae Cobb in 1947 and they had two daughters.

H. CECIL CHANCE

H. Cecil Chance (1922-2000) served as pastor of Tenth Street Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Wildwood, Bartow, 1975-1982. He and his wife Reba had two children.

HORACE CHANCE

Horace Chance served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

LADON CHANCELLOR

LaDon Chancellor served as pastor White Pond Baptist Church, Alford and Grand Ridge Baptist Church. He served as director of missions for Chipola Baptist Association, 1993-1998.

ELBERT P. CHANNELL

Elbert P. Channell served formerly as a pastor in Lawton, Oklahoma. In 1980 he went as pastor of East Naples Baptist Church.

THOMAS N. CHANNELL

Thomas N. Channell (1916-1984) died of a heart attack on November 13, 1984. He had served for seven years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Beverly Hills. He also served as pastor of Calvary and Herris Hill Baptist Churches in Milton, First Baptist Church, Inverness, and Russell Park Baptist Church, Fort Myers. He and his wife, Mabel, had three daughters; Lydia, Sarah, and Rachel, and two sons; Timothy and John.

TOM CHAPELL

Tom Chapell served as pastor of the Nocatee Baptist Church.

H. L. CHAPIN

H. L. Chapin served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston and First Baptist Church, High Springs.

A. F. CHAPMAN

A. F. Chapman was pastor of Eaton Street Baptist Church, Key West in 1918.

F. WILLIAM CHAPMAN

F. William Chapman served as pastor of Northwest Baptist Church, Miami.

HORACE CHAPMAN, JR.

Horace Chapman, Jr. graduated from Mercer University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Holiday Hill Baptist Church, Jacksonville; Tropic Isles Baptist Church, North Fort Myers and Morningside Baptist Chapel, Tallahassee. Chapman served as director of missions for the Southwest Florida Baptist Association 1981-1986. He served as pastor in Georgia and South Carolina before coming to Florida.

MARCUS L. CHAPMAN

Marcus L. Chapman (1905-1965) was a native of Kansas City. He served as pastor of Park Lane Baptist Mission, Jacksonville, Cedar Hurst Church, Oakville, and First Baptist Church in Garden City. He and his wife, Rona, had one daughter and four sons.

JIMMY CHAPMAN

Jimmy Chapman served as director of missions for South Florida Baptist Association, 1988.

WALTER CHAPMAN

Walter Chapman served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Crawfordville, 1977-1980.

MILTON L. CHAPPELL

Milton L. Chappell ( -2005) served as pastor of Haines Creek Mission. He and his wife, Beulah Irene Smith Chappell, had one daughter.

DAVID L. CHASE

David L. Chase served as pastor of Northwest Baptist Church, Miami.

JAMES GARVIN CHASTAIN

James Garvin Chastain (1854-1954) lived to be 100 years of age. He served 30 years with the Foreign Mission Board in Mexico, and 10 years with the Home Mission Board in Florida and Cuba.

TONY CHASTAIN

Tony Chastain a Georgia native, graduated from Valdosta State College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Kentucky and Florida, including Tenth Street Baptist Church, Bradenton. Chastain and his wife, Bonnie had three children, Shar, Victoria and Jackie.

WAYNE CHASTAIN

Wayne Chastain served as pastor of Lady Lake Baptist Church, 1955.

JERRY CHATTIN, SR.

Jerry Chattin, Sr. graduated from Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville. He served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Wauchula, and in 1980 went as pastor of Victory Way Baptist Church in Tampa.

CAROLINE AMANDA FRENSLEY CHAUDOIN

Caroline Amanda Frensley Chaudoin (1835-1907) was lovingly known in the Florida Baptist State Convention as Aunt Carrie. She was born in 1835 in Davidson County, Tennessee. On May 6, 1850, she married William Newell Chaudoin. They had no children but Caroline adopted Robert Roe Chaudoin (1876-1960) after the death of William. William Newell Chaudoin served as President of the Florida Baptist State Convention, and as the first Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer of the State Board of Missions. The Chaudoin family sacrificed self and possessions for the cause of missions. Chaudoin served as pastor of the LaGrange Baptist Church for 33 years as pastor. Mrs. Chaudoin died in LaGrange (near Titusville) in 1907.

WILLIAM NEWELL CHAUDOIN

William Newell Chaudoin (August 10, 1829-January 22, 1904) was born August 10, 1829, in middle Tennessee. He was the son of John Mills and Sarah Caltharp Chaudoin. He was raised on a farm and had limited education. His boyhood nickname was “Bill Shad” and he was converted at age 16. Chaudoin began preaching at age 18, and on May 6, 1850, married Caroline A. Frensley, with whom he lived 54 years. The Chaudoin’s had no children and in 1851, W. N. was ordained as the pastor of Charity Church, 15 miles from Nashville. In 1853, Chaudoin became pastor of Second Church, Nashville, and while there contracted a pulmonary infection that caused him much suffering for the rest of his life. He worked for the Bible Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Middle Tennessee and North Alabama from 1856-1857. Due to his ill health, Chaudoin moved to Southwest Georgia where he served as principal of the Georgia Academy for the Blind for one year. He was pastor of several churches in southwest Georgia from 1865-1870, and preached to the Confederate troops in Virginia during the Civil War. In 1870 he became an agent with the Southern Baptist Convention Domestic and Indian Board. In 1871 he was promoted to District Secretary for Georgia and Florida. Due to ill health, Chaudoin moved to LaGrange, Florida, in 1880, and purchased a small orange grove. He is sometimes referred to as “Father of the Florida Baptist Convention” in that he was the first chief executive and the founding leader of the convention executive committee. Chaudoin served as convention president from 1880-1903, with the exception of 1886-1888, when H. M. King served as President. He was Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer of the State Board of Missions from 1881 to 1901. Chaudoin served as trustee of Stetson University from 1886-1903. It was in 1893 that Chaudoin received the first honorary Doctor of Divinity degree that Stetson gave. Chaudoin was known by the beloved name “Uncle Shad” and Caroline was known as “Aunt Carrie” to Florida Baptists.

WILLIAM CUYLER CHAVERS

William Cuyler Chavers (1913-1996) was born at Bogia, Escambia County, FL, the son of Seaborn William and Nancy Elizabeth Brewton Chavers. He was ordained in 1933 by Whitfield Memorial Baptist Church, Pensacola. Chavers served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Baker, Fairview Baptist Church, Beulah Baptist Church, Farm Hill Baptist Church, and Windy Hill Baptist Church in Escambia County. In Santa Rosa County he served Dixonville Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Harold, Stump Springs Baptist Church, Valley Grove Baptist Church, and Spring Hill Baptist Church. He was survived by twelve children.

JAMES S. CHAVIS, JR.

James S. Chavis, Jr. (1941- ) graduated from Samford University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor in Mississippi and Georgia before becoming pastor of First Baptist Church Tallahassee. Chavis served as Director of the Church Development Division office of the Florida Baptist Convention. He served as director of missions for the Palm Lake Baptist Association

EDNER CHERILIEN

Edner Cherilien serves as pastor of Shiloh Emmanuel Haitian Baptist Church, Palm Coast. His wife is Gladys Cherilien.

JOHN B. CHESHIRE, SR.

John B. Cheshire, Sr. served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Polk County. Cheshire and his wife Roxanna Pack Cheshire had three children.

W. R. CHESHIRE

W. R. Cheshire served as pastor of East Palatka First Baptist Church.

CULLEN CHESSER

Cullen Chesser(1938-2020) was born in Giles Tuscal, AL, the son of Joseph and Nannie Chesser. He graduated from Samford University, Birmingham and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Cullen was ordained in 1975 and pastored churches in Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Oakland Park, Castleberry Baptist Mission and New Covenant Baptist Church, Brooksville. Chesser and his wife Janice Marie Chesser had three children. After Janice’s death Chesser married Milly Chesser of Brooksville

JOSEPH D. CHESSER

Joseph D. Chesser served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Lake City.

GEORGE D. CHESTNUT

George D. Chestnut (1960-) graduated from the Florida Baptist Theological College in 1999. He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and served as pastor in Alabama, Kentucky and Florida. He served as pastor of Southside Baptist Church, Mulberry and East Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs. He and his wife Linda married in 1983 and have two children.

ROY CHEWNING

Roy Chewning served as pastor of Walnut Hill Baptist Church. He and his wife Marilyn Whitney had three children.

TOM CHEYNEY

Tom Cheyney serves as Executive Director of Missions for the Greater Orlando Baptist Association. Cheyney has served at the North American Mission Board in the Church Planting Group and has taught on five continents. He and his wife, Cheryl have two children.

W. W. CHILDERS

W. W. Childers was pastor of Aenon Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida. He served as missionary for the Florida Baptist Association in 1900.

ANN ELIZABETH BILLUPS CHIPLEY

Ann Elizabeth Billups Chipley (ca. 1849-1910) was the daughter of John R. Billups, a prominent planter in Russell County, Alabama. She moved to Pensacola in 1876 at age 27 with her husband and three children; Hunt, Clara, and Dudley. She was the wife of William Dudley Chipley, businessman and railroad builder. They were members of First Baptist Church, Pensacola, and very influential in civic concerns. Mrs. Chipley served as the Florida vice-president of the Woman s Missionary Union, Southern Baptist Convention, in 1888-1889, and from 1893 to 1910. In 1878 she organized a Ladies Aid Society at First Baptist Church, Pensacola, and in 1888 she attended the WMU organizational meeting in Richmond with Mrs. L. B. Telford of Florida.

WILLIAM DUDLEY CHIPLEY

William Dudley Chipley (June 6, 1840-December 1, 1897) was born in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Dr. William Stout Chipley and Georgia Amelia Stout Chipley of Lexington, Kentucky. He and his family moved to Pensacola in 1876. He and his wife, Ann Elizabeth Billups Chipley, made a tremendous impact in the Florida panhandle. They had three children; Hunt, Clara, and Dudley. Chipley was general manager of the Pensacola and Louisville Railroad. He had vast holdings of land, and influenced politics and publishing with his money and power. The Chipley family was vitally involved in First Baptist Church, Pensacola. They came to Pensacola from the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Pine Mountain was formerly Chipley, Georgia, until the Calloway family started the Callaway Gardens and changed the name of the town.

JOE CHOATE, JR.

Joe Choate, Jr. (1948-2012) was the son of Joe F. Sr. and Mary Choate. He served in the U. S. Air Force. Choate served as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ellenton and Northside Baptist Church, Tampa. He and his wife, Beborah had two children, Jac and Christa.

CARLE E. CHRISTIAN

Carle E. Christian (1935-1986) was a native of Ohio. He was a graduate of Furman University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a foreign missionary to Costa Rica, and also served as pastor in North Carolina and Missouri before coming to Florida. He served for twelve years as director of Tampa Bay Association’s Christian Counseling Center from 1974 to 1986. He and his wife, Esther, had one daughter, Heidi, and one son, Paul.

JAMES H. CHRISTIE

James H. Christie (1897-1981) served as pastor of Flagler Street (1941-1943) and Pinewood Park in Miami, St. Andrew Baptist Church in Panama City, New Hope in Marianna, and First Baptist Churches of Altha, Century, Bonifay, and Archer Road in Gainesville.

LUTHER RICE CHRISTIE

Luther Rice Christie (1873-) was born in Halifax County, North Carolina, the son of Thomas Hervey and Martha Barfield Christie. He graduated from Richmond University, Central Institute and Trinity College (now Duke University). Christie was ordained in 1898. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee (1934-1939). Christie and his wife, Blanche Wilson Christie had two children, Mary and James.

ELLIS “HAMP” CHRISTMAS

Ellis “Hamp” Christmas (1925-2018) served as Chief Warrant Officer 3 of the U.S. Army, retired in 1966. He served over 21 years in both World War II and the Korean Conflict, in which he received several accommodations and medals. He was a bi-vocational minister serving over the years in Jackson, Holmes and Washington Counties. Christmas served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto. He and his wife Brenda had four children.

L. M. CHITTY

L. M. Chitty was a native of Valdosta, Georgia. He was a Missionary Baptist preacher who preached for over 44 years, 25 of those years at churches in Sumter County, Florida. Chitty served as pastor of Midway Baptist Church, Plant City 1911-1912. He and his wife had six children.

JERRY R. CHUMLEY

Jerry R. Chumley graduated from Florida State University. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bonifay, First Baptist Church, Blountstown and Lake Mystic Baptist Church, Bristol. Chumley now serves as Director of Missions at Gadsden County Baptist Association. Chumley and his wife Norrie have one daughter.

JAMES CHUNN

James Chunn served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County and First Baptist Church, Ochlocknee Bay. Chunn and his wife Margaret have three children.

RON CHURCHILL

Ron Churchill is a native of Tennessee. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served churches in Georgia, Arizona, and Texas before coming as pastor of First Baptist Church, Plant City in 1988. Ron served as a single s pastor and was used widely in single’s ministries all over the state.

MICHAEL B. CHUTE

Michael Chute (b. 1950; ) served as editor of the Florida Baptist Witness, from 1995 to 2001. He came to lead the Witness, from the Oklahoma Baptist University where he led the journalism department as a professor of journalism. At the time, Chute who was on leave from the SBC International Mission Board, was working to complete requirements for a doctorate in mass communications, which he subsequently completed at the University of Southern Mississippi. The degree complemented his B.A. degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a M.A. degree from Southwest Missouri State University. Chute previously served 13 years as an SBC missionary in Brazil and Hong Kong. Between 1978 and 1982, he served as the managing editor of the Word and Way, the Baptist state newspaper for Missouri Baptists. After leaving the Witness in 2001, Chute went to serve on the staff of William Carey College. Chute and his spouse Katherine Marie Benge have two children.

C. L. CLARK

C. L. Clark served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

CHARLES CLARK

Charles Clark served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Escambia County.

CURTIS CLARK

Curtis Clark served as pastor of Thomasville Road Baptist Church, Tallahassee.

EGBERT B. CLARK, SR.

Egbert B. Clark, Sr. (1837-1914) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, High Springs. He served as missionary to the Harmony Baptist Association in 1901.

GEORGE E. CLARK

George E. Clark (1927-2020) was born in Tallahassee, Florida, the son of David Harrison and Ettie Mae Johnson Clark. Clark attended Bob Jones University and Warrensburg State Teachers College, Missouri. He pastored churches for more than 70 years, some in Leon County. He was the founder of Maranatha Baptist Church and Maranatha Christian School, Tallahassee where he served for more than twenty years. Clark served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Tallahassee, 1965-1966. He and his wife Virginia Sanders Clark had three daughters.

J. C. CLARK

J. C. Clark was pastor at Fort Lauderdale in 1911 and Trilby Baptist Church, 1929.

J. J. CLARK

J. J. Clark served as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs. Clark died on September 29, 1912, at Starke. He served as missionary for the New River Baptist Association, 1889; 1895-1899. Clark died on September 29, 1912, at Starke.

JAMES L. CLARK

James L. Clark was pastor of Perrine Baptist Church in 1941.

JULIAN P. CLARK

Julian P. Clark served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Deerfield Beach, 1978-1982.

LESTER CLARK

Lester Clark served as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Malone.

ROBERT CLARK

Robert Clark served as pastor of Double Branch Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Wesley Chapel).

ROGER L. CLARK

Roger L. Clark served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Longwood.

STEWART R. CLARK

Stewart R. Clark served as pastor of San Mateo Baptist Church.

W. HARRY CLARK

W. Harry Clark served as a missionary in Jaruco, Cuba. In the 1904 Minutes of the Florida Baptist Convention it is stated that W. Harry Clark who had been laboring in Cuba was now employed to take care of the Cuban work in Florida. Clark with Miss Mary Taylor founded a school in 1900 with the Clark Memorial Baptist Church, which was named for Rev. Clark. He served with the Cuban Baptist Mission in Ybor City.

WILLIAM RICHARD CLARK

William Richard Clark (April 24, 1880- ) was born in Orange, New Jersey. His father was a baker and his mother a housewife. Clark was converted at age 19 (April 12, 1900) and baptized in September 1919, at First Baptist Church, Orlando. Clark worked as an office manager, salesman, and pastor. He was ordained October 8, 1936, by the North Park Baptist Church, Orlando. Clark served as pastor of the North Park Church (1936-1948), Kilarney Baptist Church, Winter Park (1950-1953), and served as interim at First Baptist Church, Winter Park (1955-1956), First Baptist Church, Orlando (1956), and Azalea Park Baptist Church, Orlando (1957). He served as moderator of the Wekiwa Baptist Association in Florida from 1942-1944. Clark married Victoria M. Slack on September 7, 1904, and they had four children: Constance, September 13, 1905; William Richard, Jr., June 6, 1909; Newell William, April 23, 1914; and Isabel, April 8, 1916.

FRANK CLAYCOMB

Frank Claycomb served as pastor of Frist Baptist Church, LaBelle, 1988.

THOMAS M. CLAYTON

Thomas M. Clayton served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Delray Beach.

WAYNE CLAYTON

Wayne Clayton served as pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church, Plant City.

TOM CLEARY

Tom Cleary ( -2014) graduated from Stetson University, Deland and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Cleary and his wife Joyce served with the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board from 1971-1980 in Austria. He became pastor of University Baptist Church in Tampa in 1980. They returned to Florida and served as campus ministers for the Florida Baptist Convention at the University of South Florida from 1981-1990. In 1990 the Clearys returned to the mission field to served in Poland from 1990-2000. In retirement the couple served as co-pastors of Church in the Meadows, Lakeland. The Clearys’ had two sons.

DAVID CLEELAND

David Cleeland served in the U. S. Marine Corps. After retiring from the Marines, he graduated from Wake Forest University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor of churches in Kentucky and Florida including West Flagler Street Baptist Church, Miami, 1989-1995 and New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, Homestead.

A. E. CLEM

A. E. Clem served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Fruitland Park.

CLARENCE L. CLEMENTS

Clarence L. Clements (1908-1975) was a native of Dowling Park. He served as pastor of 16 different Baptist churches in Florida including First Baptist Church, Bonita Springs, Estero Baptist Church, Lulu Baptist Church (formerly Hagen Baptist Church), 1936; Antioch Baptist Church, Live Oak, 1936, and Elim Baptist Church. He was ordained at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Lake City, in 1932. The Bethlehem church was his first and last pastorate.

GARY CLEMENTS

Gary Clements served as pastor of West Pittman Baptist Church, Westville, 1991-1993.

IVAN K. CLEMENTS, SR.

Ivan K. Clements, Sr. was ordained by Tiger Lake Baptist Church, Suwannee County where he also served as pastor. Clements received his theological training at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville. He served as pastor of Divonia Baptist Church, Hamilton County, Westside Baptist Church and Eastside Baptist Church both of Lake City, First Baptist Church, Waldo and Eastside Baptist Church, Lakeland.

JOE CLEMENTS

Joe Clements died July 29, 1997. He had served as pastor of Belmont Baptist Church in Tampa for 19 years. He also served other churches in the Sebring and Tampa area. He was a graduate of Mercer University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was survived by his wife, Ann, of Tampa.

W. F. CLEMENTS

W. F. Clements served as the first missionary for the newly formed Santa Rosa Baptist Association in 1907.

C. RUSSELL CLEMONS

C. Russell Clemons graduated from the University of Florida and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor in Kentucky before becoming pastor of Main Street Baptist Church in Leesburg in 1980.

I. R. CLEMONS

I. R. Clemons served as pastor of San Pedro Baptist Church, Taylor Baptist Association in 1909.

J. C. CLEMONS

J. C. Clemons served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County.

WADE CLEMONS

Wade Clemons was a native of Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Trinity College, Tampa and Carson-Newman College, Tennessee. Clemons served as pastor of Lake Burrell Baptist Church and Southside Baptist Church, Perry, 1960-1964. He and his wife, Marion had four children, Bobby Cheryl, Bryan and Scotty.

J. E. CLEMONTS

J. E. Clemonts served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodville.

GERALD CLERIER

Gerald Clerier served as pastor of Haitian Evangelical Baptist Church, Miami.

HOMER CLICK

Homer Click served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Clermont.

W. W. CLIFFORD

W. W. Clifford served as pastor of Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Holt, First Baptist Church, Oak Hill, 1950-1953, and First Baptist Church, Southport.

JEREMY CLIFTON

Jeremy Clifton served as Associational Mission Strategist for the West Florida Baptist Association, 2019-2021.

VERNON CLIFTON

Vernon Clifton (1924-2013) was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, the son of Sylvester and Eunice Clifton. He graduated from the University of Florida and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Clifton served as pastor of Gretna Baptist Church, Rock Sink Baptist Church, Live Oak, Five Points Baptist Church, Fernandina Beach, 1978-1981. He and his wife, Myrtle Robinson Clifton had two children.

EARL CLINE

Earl Cline served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Moore Haven.

RALPH CLITES

Ralph Clites (1919-2008) was the son of Wilbert A. and Lennette M. Clites. He was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church, Brandon. Clites served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bratt, 1958-1964; Shalimar Baptist Church, 1965-1971 and Providence Baptist Church, 1978-1984. While serving at Providence Baptist Church he also served as Director of Missions for the Gadsden County Baptist Association. His and his wife, Edith V. Clites had one son Wilbert Cline Clites who died at the age of four.

J. J. CLOAR

J. J. Cloar served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, and left there to serve as pastor of the Gainesville Baptist Church (1909-1914). Cloar left Gainesville to go as pastor of Baptist Tabernacle Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

CLAYTON P. CLOER

Clayton P. Cloer (b. 1969- ) was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He made a confession of faith Christ in 1977; was licensed to the preaching ministry in 1992; and was ordained in June, 1995 by the Utica Baptist Church, Seneca, S. C. He graduated from Clemson University (B.S., 1991) and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv., 1995; PhD., 2000). Cloer served as pastor of churches in Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Central Florida, 2003-2022. Cloer was selected as the seventh president of the Baptist College of Florida in May, 2022 and became president-elect in November, 2022. He began his official duties January 1, 2023. Effective January, 2024, the name of the school was changed to the Baptist University of Florida with additional satellite campuses planned for Hialeah, Lakeland and Clearwater. He and his wife, Linda Abercrombie have two sons, Nathan (b. 1993) and James (b. 1995).

M. A. CLONTS also CLOUTS

M. A. Clonts was pastor of Key West Baptist Church in 1901-1902 and 1904-1908 and Phoenix Baptist Church, Jacksonville in 1908. During Clonts second pastorate at Key West the church formally dissolved and the Eaton Street Baptist Church was organized in 1905.

A. E. CLOUD

A. E. Cloud (May 8, 1828-March 28, 1890) was born near McDonough in Henry County, Georgia. He was baptized in 1848. He was educated at Mercer University, graduating in 1852. He was licensed to preach in 1853, and married Lizzie Calloway the same year. He was ordained at McDonough, Georgia, in January 1854, and served as pastor at Jonesboro, Georgia, for thirty years. Cloud developed lung trouble and came to Florida in 1881. He lived at Lady Lake and died there in 1890. While living in Florida he served as pastor at Leesburg, Lady Lake, Pine Level, and Whitney. In Georgia, Cloud served in the state legislature and was one of the
organizers of the college at Jonesboro. He was president there for years.

STEPHEN CLOUD

Stephen Cloud (1916-2005) was called to preach at age 17. Cloud attended Florida Bible Institute, Bob Jones College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Cloud served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Belle Glade, 1967.

JOHN L. CLOUGH

John L. Clough (b. April 9, 1938; d. November 14, 2020) was born in Stark, Florida. He graduated from Tennessee Temple (B.A.), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Georgia State University (M.Ed.), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). Clough served as a chaplain in the United States Navy and later served as pastor of Florida Baptist churhces including Woodmont Baptist Church, Patterson Baptist Church (1975-1979), Neptune Baptist Church (1979-1984. He also served as associate director in the Sunday School Department of the Florida Baptist Convention (1984-1988). He then served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Oviedo (1988-1992), Central Baptist Church, Waycross, Georgia (1992-1997), and Carver Baptist Church, Douglas, Georgia (1997-2000). He was preceded in death by his spouse Carolyn Jo Smith Clough, with whom they had a son and a daughter.

TONY CLUBB

Tony Clubb graduated from the University of Florida and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Williston, First Baptist Church, Interlachen and Forest Grove Baptist Church. He and his wife Melanie have three children.

VERNON CLYATT

Vernon Clyatt served as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church, Worthington Springs.

CLAUDE MILTON COALSON

Claude Milton Coalson (October 20, 1895- August 19, 1988) was born in Dallas, Georgia. He was the son of John Thomas Coalson and Alice Lucinda Robins Coalson. Coalson was raised in Dallas, Felton, and Rockmart, Georgia. He attended high school in Powder Springs, Georgia, and graduated from Mercer University (A.B., 1924; A.M., 1925). Coalson married Rena Mae Peck of Marble Hill, GA (February 24, 1896 – July 31, 1986) on February 08, 1920 in Lithia Springs, GA. Claude and Rena had two children, Leonora Annelle Wells (1921-2007) and Carolyn DeLynn Johnson (1927 – 2013). He worked as a farmer (to 1919), teacher (1916-1918), (1924-1932), pastor (1920-1951), and associational missionary (1951- 1988). Coalson was converted August 13, 1909, and ordained August 1917 at County Line Baptist Church in Rockmart, Georgia. He served as pastor at Island Creek Baptist Church in Carrs Station, Georgia (1921-1925), Wadley Baptist Church, Wadley, Georgia (1925-1933), First Baptist Church, Statesboro, Georgia (1933-1942), First Baptist Church, Cordele, Georgia (1942-1946), Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida (1946-1951), and then as associational missionary of Jacksonville Baptist Association (1951-1960).

JOSEPH C. COATS

Joseph C. Coats (b. 1927; d. 2002) was an African-American pastor who holds the distinction of leading his congregation, Glendale Missionary Baptist Church, Miami, in 1969 to become the first African-American church in the state to cooperate with the Miami Baptist Association and the Florida Baptist State Convention. A native of rural Alamo, Georgia, Coats was in his youth when his mother Daisy moved her family to Miami, where Coats attended and graduated from the George Washington Carver High School in 1944. During the next 20 years, Joe Coats worked in the grocery business. In 1949, he married Catherine Williams of South Carolina, and the couple had eight children, seven of which survived. Coats and his wife joined the Glendale Missionary Baptist Church, where he responded to the call of God and was ordained April 23, 1966. During the next year Coats took Seminary Extension courses in pastoral ministry and served as an itinerant evangelist. In December, 1967, the church called Coats as its third pastor. Starting with a congregation of 120 members, Coats emphasized outreach and evangelism. During the decades from the 1970s to the 1990s, the Glendale Church grew to 3,500 members. Coats retired on January 31, 1997 after 30 years’ service at Glendale. He died March 2, 2002, at age 75.

MARK COATS

Mark Coats (November 10, 1962- ) was born and raised in Florida. He is the son of Joseph and Catherine Coats. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Baptist College of Florida. Coats was baptized in 1974 at the Glendale Missionary Baptist Church, and ordained there in 1996. He served as associate pastor at Glendale from 1991 to 1998, and is the founding pastor of the Grace of God Baptist Church in Miami started in 1998. Coats has served in many prominent denominational and civic positions. He and his wife, Trena, have seven children; Marcey, Mark Jr., Marguiese, Joseph, Julius, Latisha, and Joshua.

PATRICK COATS

Patrick Coats, is the grandson of Joe Coats, long-time pastor in Miami and one of the first African-American pastors to lead his church to be a cooperating Southern Baptist congregation. He serves as pastor of Kingdom Covenant Church, Miami. Coats also serves as a church planter for the North American Mission Board. He and his wife Archalena have three children.

KEITH COCKRAN

Keith Cockran served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto.

J. ROBERT COCKRELL

J. Robert Cockrell was a native of South Carolina. He graduated from Wingate College, North Carolina Mercer University, Georgia and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Cockrell served as pastor in New Jersey, Georgia and Florida including West Little River, Miami, and Grace Baptist Church, Clermont.

JOE COCKRELL

Joe Cockrell served as pastor of Amelia Baptist Church, Dade City and Celebration Baptist Church, Yulee.

C. G. COE

C. G. Coe served as pastor of King’s Baptist Chapel in 1963.

L. C. COE

L. C. Coe was pastor of Sixty-second Street Mission in 1943.

DAVID COFFIELD

David Coffield (1918-February 20, 1983) served as pastor in Alabama and Florida. He came to Florida in 1952, and served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Mount Dora for 28 years (1952-1980). He served as a Baptist preacher for 46 years. He also served as pastor of Pilgrims Rest, Baker. He and his wife, Esther Ross Coffield, had two daughters, Joyce and Janice, and two sons, John and David.

BILL COFFMAN

Bill and Ann Coffman served Southern Baptists faithfully for over forty years. Bill Coffman (b. 1935; d. 2024) graduated from Howard Payne (1958) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1962). Bill served as pastor of Flagler Street Baptist Church in Miami (1973-1974), Central Baptist Church in Sanford (1974-1978), First Baptist Church in Crestview (1978-1984), and Arlington Baptist Church in Jacksonville (1984-1990). The Coffmans served as missionaries to Puerto Rico. In 1990 Coffman became the director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Language Mission Department (1990 – 1992) and then as director of the Cooperative Program Department (1992 — 2002), He retired June 30, 2002. He then served as pastor of Westview Baptist Church in Sanford. The Coffmans served as leaders in the Florida Baptist Convention for more than 30 years. Bill has served as pastor, teacher, missionary, and denominational worker. Ann his been a proven leader in the Woman’s Missionary Union in Florida. Both promoted missions and the Cooperative Program in their work. Bill served as president of the Florida Baptist Convention in 1986-1987. Coffman died August 6, 2024.

S. VIRGIL COFIELD

S. Virgil Cofield served as a Baptist pastor for 45 years. He was a native of Georgia, and served there before coming to Florida in 1925 as pastor of First Baptist Church, Melbourne. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Newberry from 1937 to 1948, and Mayo Baptist Church from 1948 to 1956, when he retired. He died in 1967 in Mayo, Florida.

JAMES DAVID COGGINS

James David Coggins (July 1, 1962- ) was licensed to preach in 1985, and ordained in 1990 by the West County Line Baptist Church of Opp, Alabama. Coggins graduated from Opp High School in Opp, Alabama in 1980. He attended the Baptist College of Florida where he received the B.A. in 1992, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he received the M.Div. in 1997. Coggins served as pastor of New Chapel Baptist Church in Kinston, Alabama from 1990 to 1992, and Flat Creek Baptist in Colquit, Georgia from 1993 to 1998. He and his wife, Connie, married September 9, 1983. They have two children; Courtney and Jonathan. Coggins teaches Christian Leadership at the Baptist College of Florida, and has served as interim pastor in the tri-state area.

W. R. COGGINS

W. R. Coggins (1828-November 29, 1894) was born in Montgomery County, North Carolina in 1828. He became a minister at an early age and served 20 years in the North Carolina Baptist Convention. In 1879 he came to Florida and worked mostly without salary all of his ministry and worked primarily with the poor in Florida. The 1895 Florida Baptist Annual says, . . . of course he died poor, yet rich in faith and an heir of the Kingdom. He died in Webster, Florida, November 28, 1894.

A. D. COHEN

A. D. Cohen attended Furman Seminary at Society Hill and was ordained by Dr. Richard Fuller. Cohen served a long and useful pastorate with the Black Swamp Baptist Church in Robertsdale, South Carolina. He moved to Charleston then Savannah. He came to Florida in 1884 and served as pastor at Sanford. He was the first pastor of First Baptist Church of Titusville in 1887. He died in 1905.

DONALD COKER

Donald Coker served as pastor of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, 1986-1989 and Union Hill Baptist Church (now Emerald Coast Community Church), Pensacola.

JAMES ALDERMAN COKER

James Alderman Coker (1892-1952) was the son of Reverend John and Nancy Stephens Coker. He was born February 2, 1892, at Sandy, Florida, in Manatee County. His father was a minister and he had a brother who became a minister. James was a school teacher at Tasmainia, in Glades County, near where Venus is today. James was ordained at age 17 at Myakka Baptist Church. When he was seventeen years old he married Alma Essie Young on July 15, 1916. James and Alma had three children; Bernice, James Edward and Mitchell Joseph. Coker was a school teacher, pastor, and supply preacher in the area around Myakka City.

JOHN COKER

John Coker (December 22, 1854-June 2, 1925) was a descendent of a family who came from the Carolinas to the Old Town area in the early 1800s. John was the son of Jonathan Coker who drowned in Charlie Creek near Zolfo. John Coker was married four times. He married Nancy Alice Stephens and she died on June 2, 1898. They had children and John then married Ann Stephens, her sister who helped him raise the children. Upon the death of Ann he married Ellen Thomas Albritton and when she died he married Rhoda Thompson. John was not ordained until age 50 and he had two sons to follow him into the ministry. He also helped in the ordination of his grandson, L. J. Coker. John served as pastor primarily in Manatee County.

L. J. COKER

L. J. Coker was born in South Florida, the son of Jospeh and Julia I. Coker. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Coker pastored churches in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, including First Baptist Church, Port Tampa, First Baptist Church, Ruskin and Dixieland Baptist Church, Lakeland.

LARRY COKER

Larry Coker (1948- ) was born in Last Chance, Oklahoma, and upon his conversion, became a member of the Last Chance Baptist Church. He worked as a high school football coach in Oklahoma, and served as assistant football coach at Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Miami. Coker won a national football championship at the University of Miami in his first year as head coach (2002). Coker states that, Head coach is not who I am, it s what I do. This position gives me a vehicle to share my faith. He is a member of the University Baptist Church, Coral Gables.

VERNON COKER

Vernon Coker (1898-1967) was the son of Rev. John and Nancy Stephens Coker. He was born near Myakka City and later married Lena Albritton in 1918. Vernon worked as a salesman, store clerk, and U. S. postal courier. He and his wife had three children; Flora Mae, Evelyn, and John. Vernon was ordained in Myakka City on August 1, 1926. Coker served as pastor of Grange Hall (now disbanded), Mill Creek (now disbanded), Osprey, Boca Grand, Bethany, (Lily) Union, Limestone, Alva, Samoset, North Eighth Avenue in Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, Avon Park, Florida Avenue, and lastly, a mission in Wauchula.

EARNEST COLDING

Earnest Colding served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Clay County in 1981-1982.

JAMES L. COLDING

James L. Colding graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. He was ordained by Calvary Baptist Church, Deland, 1966. Colding served as pastor of Tangelo Park Baptist Church, Orlando. He and his wife Susan Freeman Colding had one son.

LESLIE A. COLDING

Leslie A. Colding was a native of Hillsborough County, Florida, the son of James L. and Susan Freeman Colding. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pierson, Mango Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, (formerly Second Baptist Church, Deland) for 30 years and Emporia Baptist Church, Orlando. Colding and his wife Irene had three children.

DUANE COLE

Duane Cole (1962-2019) was born in Avon Park, Florida, the son of Dwight and Linda Cole. He graduated from Florida Baptist Theological College, Graceville. Cole was ordained in 1994 by Oak Grove Baptist Church, Wauchula and served as pastor of Mill Creek Baptist Church, Bradenton. He and his wife, Tianna Madamba Cole had three children.

GIROD H. COLE, JR.

Girod H. Cole, Jr., (November 16, 1924- ) graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham (1943), Howard College (now Samford University) (B.A., 1949), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1952). Cole married Jane Garrison of Bessemer, Alabama, in 1947, and they had four children (Marijane, 1953; Candia, 1955; Ginger, 1957; and Girod III, 1964). He served as pastor of Fayetteville Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Indiana (1949-1952), Comer Baptist Church, Comer, Georgia (1952-1957), Second Avenue Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia (1957-1960), and College Park Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida, 1960- ). Cole served in many denominational posts in Georgia and Florida. He also taught in the Mercer University and Stetson University Extension Centers.

JAMES COLE

James Cole served as pastor of Forest Heights Baptist Church, Fort Walton, 1978-1984.

RONALD E. COLE

Ronald E. Cole (1956-2003) was born in Florence, Alabama. He graduated from the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. He served as pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church in Bonifay, Florida. He and his wife, Eve Cole, had one daughter, Jessica and two sons, Carl and Josh. Cole was serving as pastor in Samson, Alabama, when he was killed in a tragic automobile wreck on October 17, 2003. He was 47 years of age.

S. B. COLE

S. B. Cole (1875-1941) graduated from Furman University. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Madison, 1911-1923 and Palmetto Baptist Church, 1924-1940. Cole and his wife, May Legette Cole had one daughter.

H. C. COLEBROOK

H. C. Colebrook served as pastor of First Baptist Church, DeLand.

A. B. COLEMAN, JR.

Andrew B. Coleman, Jr., (1930-2006) was born in Daytona Beach, FL. He graduated from Benedict College, Columbia, SC and Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville, FL. In 1972, Coleman assisted his father, A.B. Coleman Sr., as co-pastor at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist until becoming pastor of St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church, which he organized in 1978. He and his wife, Ida M. Coleman, have a son and a daughter.

DICK COLEMAN

Dick Coleman ( -2000) graduated from the University of Florida and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Leesburg, 1963-1967. Coleman and his wife, Mignon “Minnie” Klapp Coleman had three sons.

JAMES A. COLEMAN, JR.

James A. Coleman, Jr. (1931-20`7) was born in Sylacauga, AL. He attended Howard College and later graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Troy State University and Florida State University. Coleman served as pastor of churches in Alabama and Florida including Central Baptist Church and Creighton Heights Baptist Church, Pensacola. He and his wife Melrose Bible Coleman had two daughters.

T. RUPERT COLEMAN

T. Rupert Coleman (1908-1998) was born in Lyons, North Carolina. He was a graduate of Duke University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary earning a Ph. D. He served as pastor of University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, and Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland, until his retirement. He served Southside from 1964 to 1973. Coleman was an innovator in worship, journalism, and missions. He and his wife, Lucille, had one son, Larry.

WILLIE COLEMAN

Willie Coleman (1945-2009) was pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Jacksonville in 2009 at his death and was known widely as a gospel radio station deejay on WCGL. He and his wife Jeanette had five children: Shandora, Demetries, Sonya, Yolanda and Darrell.

SANFORD COLLEY

Sanford Colley was born in Wilson, NC. He graduated from Luther Rice Seminary. Colley was licensed and ordained by First Baptist Church, Eustis. He served as the first pastor of First Baptist Church, Floral City; Central Baptist Church, Leesburg, College Park Baptist Church, Palatka, and Moultrie Baptist Church, St. Augustine, 2006-2016. Colley and his wife Linda Ann Adams Colley have three children

B. W. COLLIER

B. W. Collier served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Marianna from 1904 to 1909.

EVELYN COLLIER

Evelyn Collier (1942-2013) was born in Newton, Alabama. She attended grade school, taught, and served as principal of Newton Elementary School which was located across the street from her home. She attended Samford University (B.S., 1965), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.R.E., 1967), Troy State University (M.S., 1975), and Auburn University, Montgomery, Alabama (A.A., 1980).

O. K. COLLIER

O. K. Collier (1915-1993) was the son of Lewis B. and Nettie Lowe Collier. He served as pastor of Lake Harbor Baptist Church and Southside Baptist Church, Arcadia. Collier was married to Pawnee Esther Stevens.

B. C. COLLINS

B. C. Collins (1889-1972) served churches in Altoona, Barberville, Emporia, Bonita Springs, and Jacksonville prior to retiring in 1953. He and his wife, Maggie Rosa Williams Collins, had three sons and four daughters.

BOBBY COLLINS

Bobby Collins served as pastor of Bostwick Baptist Church, Palatka.

CHARLES LOUIS COLLINS

Charles Louis Collins (1896-1931) was born in Ohio. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church, DeLand. First Baptist Church, Ocala and Riverside Baptist Church, Jacksonville. Before coming to Florida Collins served as a pastor in Ohio and came to Florida to represent the Anti-Saloon League.

E. C. COLLINS

E. C. Collins was a lawyer and judge for the Criminal Court of Record for Dade County. He served as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1932 and 1933.

GLEN COLLINS

Glen Collins served as pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Plant City; Trinity Baptist church, Tampa; Lake Buffum Baptist Church; Eloise Baptist Church, Tampa and First Baptist Church, Homeland.

HERMAN COLLINS

Herman Collins (? -2001) served as a pastor and evangelist for 67 years. He served as pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Lake Wales; Central Avenue Baptist Church, Lakeland, and First Baptist Church, Auburndale. He and his wife, Marita Durrance Collins, had two daughters.

LAWRENCE COLLINS

Lawrence Collins (1901-1968) served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Samoset; Oneca Baptist Church; Balm Baptist Church; Fellowship Baptist Church, Tampa; Southside Baptist Church, Avon Park; South Clewiston Baptist Church; Florida Avenue Baptist Church, Avon Park; Terra Ceia Baptist Church, Bradenton and Main Street Baptist Church. He and his wife, Nila Whatley Collins had ten children.

THOMAS MARSHALL COLLINS, SR.

Tom Collins served as pastor, denominational servant, and evangelist. He died March 22, 1978. Collins was a graduate of Mississippi College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Cedar Hills Baptist Church, Jacksonville, North Jacksonville, First Baptist, DeFuniak Springs, and served as the Florida Baptist Convention Sunday School Director. He also held pastorates in Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. Collins and his wife had one daughter, Carol, and two sons, Marshall Jr., and George. Mrs. Collins died June 3, 1975.

W. O. COLLINS

W. O. Collins served as pastor of Graham Baptist Church, New River Baptist Association, 1956.

WALTER COLLINS

Walter Collins served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Esto.

WAYNE COLLINS

Wayne Collins served as pastor of Buckhead Ridge Baptist Church, Okeechobee.

J. C. COLLUM

J. C. Collum served as pastor of Peniel Lighthouse, Palatka, and First Baptist Church, Williston.

STRATTON R. COLONNA

Stratton R. Colonna (1933-2010) was born in Eastern Shore, Va., and had lived in Okaloosa and Walton Counties for 30 years. Brother Colonna was a minister for 48 years, pastoring First Baptist Church of Holt, Clear Springs Baptist Church and New Prospect Baptist in Samson, Alabama. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Colonna and his wife Dinah; had four children, Jeff, Jan, Ken and Kim.

P. B. COLSON

P B. Colson served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Chiefland, 1865.

GUTHRIE COLVARD

Guthrie Colvard (1911-1987) was born in Hudson, North Carolina. Colvard served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pahokee from 1961-1969. He served as interim Director of Missions for the Big Lake Baptist Association in 1974. Colvard married Swannie Smith and they had two daughters.

WILLIAM COLVIN

William Colvin graduated from Louisiana Tech and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Easley Baptist Church in Oneonta, Alabama, and in 2005 became pastor of First Baptist Church of Destin, Florida. He and his wife, Shannon, have two sons.

RONNIE COMBASS

Ronnie Combass served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church.

DAVID HERBERT COMBEE

David Herbert Combee (1909-1985) was the son of David Crockett and Osceola Roberts Combee. He was ordained on July 11, 1937, by the Oak Ridge Baptist Church. He served as pastor in the Shiloh, Pasco, and Ridge Associations. He was pastor of Mt. Olive, Polk City, Griffin, Bradley, Loughman, Trilby, Amelia, Cedar Grove, and Lebanon. He was a Baptist preacher for 49 years. Combee and his wife Alva Jewell Sutton Combee had one daughter.

HAROLD COMBS

Harold Combs (1928-2018) was the son of A. L. and Ola Adams Combs. He graduated from the University of Florida and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, KY. Combs pastored churches in Kentucky and Florida including Parkwood Baptist Church, Jacksonville and First Baptist Church, High Springs. He and his wife Barbara had four sons.

KERMIT S. COMBS

Kermit S. Combs (1906-1973) pastor of First Baptist Church in Waldo (1971-1973) died January 13, 1973. Combs served 15 years as a United States Army chaplain, and then served as pastor in the Santa Fe River Association. He served as pastor or interim of eight churches. He and his wife, Geraldine, had three sons and one daughter.

TRUETT M. COMER

Truett M. Comer (1935-1987) was born in Clarksville, Virginia, the son of Peter Metteau and Mildred Pauline White Comer. He served as pastor of Divonia Baptist Church, Jasper; New Hope Baptist Church, Jennings and Calvary Baptist Church, Chattahoochee. Comer’s wife was Jerald Harper Comer

BOB COMERFORD

Bob Comerford (1926-2012) was a native of Florida. He served as pastor of Alford Baptist Church and Grand Ridge Baptist Church. Comerford served as director of missions for the Chipola Baptist Association, 1987-1991. He and his wife, Betty Sue White Comerford had three sons, Randy, Gainer and Greg.

JORGE COMESANAS

Jorge Comesanas (1940-2011) was a native of Cuba. He served as pastor of First Spanish Church, Coral Park, Miami (1982-2009). In Cuba, Comesañas attended Seminario Bautista de Cuba Occidental and began a mission in Buenavista, Habana. He was ordained in 1963 and served four different churches whose pastors had been jailed by the Cuban government. Barred from emigrating with his family to the United States until 1968, he arrived in Florida where he became a missionary for the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now the North American Mission Board) and began serving from Naples to Sarasota. Later he pastored churches in New Jersey and Georgia before returning to Florida to pastor a Spanish mission in Jacksonville in 1979, then moved to Miami in 1982 to pastor the Coral Park church. He was serving as pastor of First Baptist Church, Hialeah Gardens at the time of his death in 2012. Comesañas and his wife of 47 years, Carmen; had four children Alex, Daniel, David, and Amy.

H. C. COMPTON

H. C. Compton ( -1935) was pastor of Lake Worth Baptist Church in 1927 and 1930. He served as pastor in Tennessee and superintendent of the Kentucky Baptist Children’s Home. He and his wife had one son, Louis.

JOHN LEONARD CONE

John Leonard Cone (b. 1924; d. 2002) was born in Haines City, Florida. He was the son of John Henry and Vallie Brown Cone. Cone attended Norman Park Junior College, Mercer University, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was licensed to preach (1950) and ordained (1961) at First Baptist Church in Perry. Cone served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Gray, Georgia, for 24 years (1962-1986). He retired in 1986 and moved to Perry, Florida. Rev. Cone was trained and certified by the Florida Baptist Convention as an “Intentional Interim Pastor.” During his ministry as an interim, between 1986 and 2002, Rev. Cone served 13 small and primarily rural Florida Baptist churches in Lamont, Madison, Medart, Pinetta, Greenville, Salem, and Monticello. He and his wife, Tommy-Lee Fowler Cone, were married 50 years and had one son, John.

JACK G. CONLEY

Jack G. Conley (1928-2019) was born in Merkel, Texas, to the late Mordecai Falls and Inez (Byrd) Conley. He attended East Texas Baptist College in Marshall; and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Conley served in the United States Air Force during World War II as an air traffic controller. served as pastor of Central Avenue Baptist Church, Lake Wales. He and his wife Sally served among Sub-Saharan African peoples in Tanzania and Kenya as missionaries. They had three children.

WILLIAM HARRISON CONLEY

William Harrison Conley (1912-2008) was born in Enterprise, AL. Conley surrendered to preach at the age of 16 and was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1932 by New Hope Baptist Church. He received theological training at the first class of Baptist Bible Institute, then in Lakeland, FL. He has pastored churches in Hardee, DeSoto and Highlands Counties, including Sandy Ridge Baptist Church (now Northside Baptist), Southside Baptist Church in Avon Park, (now Florida Ave. Baptist), Brownsville Baptist Church, Wauchula Hills Baptist Mission, and Eastside Mission. He and his wife Mary Ellen Jones had four children.

W. C. CONNEL

In 1856 W. C. Connel was serving as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Marion County and Fort Clark Baptist Church in Alachua County.

CLARENCE CONNELL

Clarence Connell served as pastor of Alafia Baptist Church (1938-1939).

JOSEPH A. CONNELL

Jospeh A. Connell served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodville.

JOSEPH G. CONNELL

Joseph G. Connell served as district superintendent in the Pensacola area in 1926. He served as pastor of Indian Springs Baptist Church, Tallahassee 1934-1938; Lloyd Baptist Church and Athena Baptist Church, Perry, 1939.

W. F. CONNELL

W. F. Connell served as pastor of Lorida Baptist Church, Kissimmee; Dunedin Baptist Church; Belmont Baptist Church, Clearwater and Bunker Hill Baptist Church, Bradenton.

WILLIAM CONNELL

William Connell was ordained by Fellowship Baptist Church, Ocala August 20, 1855, the church then called him to serve as pastor.

ARTHUR CONNER, JR.

Arthur Conner, Jr. (2002-) is a native of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University and Trinity International University. He serves as pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Hollywood and Associational Mission Strategist for the Gulf Stream Baptist Association. Conner and his wife, Tamara have two sons, Emanuel and Noah.

CHARLES G. CONNER

Charles G. Conner served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Deerfield Beach, 1967-1971.

JAMES CONNER

James Conner served as pastor of Yulee Baptist Church and a school teacher at Yulee school.

MIKE CONNER

Mike Conner served as pastor of Bayless Highway Baptist Church, Starke.

WILSON CONNER

Wilson Conner (July 7, 1768-June 5, 1844) was the first Baptist preacher to come to Florida. He came in 1812 with the militia that marched into Florida to protect the colonists. Conner was born in Marlborough District, South Carolina. He was a Methodist in his early years. He responded to the call to preach at age 21. He was the first pastor of the Baptist Church of Hawkinsville, Georgia in Tel Fair County, and actually died there while preaching a worship service on June 5, 1844.

T. B. CONRAD

T. B. Conrad ( -1993) attended the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville. He served as pastor of Leon Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leon County. He and his wife, Bernice Bennett Conrad, had two daughters.

CHRIS CONTI

Chris Conti graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained at Idlewood Baptist church, Tampa. Conti served as pastor of churches in Rhode Island and Florida, including Darby Community Church, (formerly Amelia Baptist Church) Dade City.

CHARLES CONWAY

Charles Conway (1847-1917) was born in the Black Creek District, Clay, Florida to Ephraim Conway and Mary Ann Neeley Conway. He served as pastor of Bostwick Baptist Church, Palatka (1900), Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Middleburg (1902 and 1911-1912), Salem Baptist Church, Sharron, (1902), Providence Baptist Church, Palatka (1893-1901) and First Creek Baptist Church, Penney Farms. Conway served as field missionary for the St. Johns River Baptist Association, 1905-1907. He married Louisa Ziney Moody and they had eleven children.

JAMES F. CONWAY

James F. Conway (c 1891-March 11, 1981) served as pastor of 15 different churches in Florida. He served at Ortega, Faith Memorial, and Macedonia in Jacksonville, Highland Baptist Church in Lawtey, Evergreen in Stark, Orange Street in Baldwin, First Baptist in Orange Park, Shiloh and Hickory Grove in Green Cove Springs, Black Creek, Black Pond, and Middleburg Baptist Churches in Middleburg and Lemon Heights, Palatka. Conway served as associational moderator for 10 years in Black Creek Association, and three years in St. Johns Association. He and his wife had seven children.

LACY CONWAY

Lacy Conway served as pastor of Airpark Baptist Church, Starke.

E. COOK

E. Cook served as pastor of Tenth Avenue Baptist Church, Tampa.

FRED J. COOK

Fred J. Cook (1943-2021) was born in Graceville, Florida, the son of J. D. and Cora Mae Cook. He retired from the Air Force and served as a Police Officer, Truancy Officer, Child Abuse Investigator, Pastor, Missionary and director of Columbia Baptist Ministry Center. He graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville, Florida. Cook served as director of Chipola Family Ministry Center, Marianna from 2007 until his death in 2021. He and his wife, Melba Bennett Cook had two children.

J. E. COOK, JR.

J. E. Cook, Jr. served as pastor of the Perry Baptist Church from 1924 1927.

JOHN MAXWELL COOK

John Maxwell Cook attended Young L. G. Harris College, Young Harris, GA and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. He was pastor of Miami Beach Baptist Church in 1936.

OTIS COOK

Otis Cook served as pastor of Emporia Baptist Church, Pierson.

ROBERT J. COOK

Robert J. Cook was born in LaBelle, Florida. He graduated from Wake Forest University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cook served as pastor of Orient Park Baptist Church, Tampa; East Chelsea Baptist Church, Tampa; First Baptist Church, Gillett, 1969-1970; First Baptist Church, Deltona and served as pastor of Greensboro Baptist Church from 1980-1985. He and his wife Virginia had two children.

ROBERT S. COOK

Robert S. Cook (1924-2009) was born in West Texas and graduated from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cook served Southern Baptists for over 37 years in various denominational responsibilities. He served as director of the Florida Baptist Church Training Department from 1969-1982. He also served in the Family Life Department of the Florida Baptist Convention. He and his wife Helen had a daughter, Barbara, and a son, Randall.

J. MAX COOKE

J. Max Cooke served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Longwood.

JAMES MONROE COOLEY

James Monroe Cooley (18821958) was born in Henry County, AL, the son of James and Arcilla Windham Cooley. Cooley served as pastor of Richland Baptist Church, Zephyrhills. Cooley and his wife Martha Gertrude Vann Cooley had two children.

W. L. COOLEY

W. L. Cooley served as pastor of Hardeetown Baptist Church.

E. V. COONS

E. V. Coons served as pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church, Newberry, 1978-1986.

BILL COOPER

Bill Cooper served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Polk County.

C. EARL COOPER

C. Earl Cooper graduated from Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Riverside Church in Jacksonville for 21 years (1959-1980). He retired in 1980, and the church presented him a plaque, a love offering and the pastorium.

CHARLES B. COOPER

Charles B. Cooper served as pastor of Central Avenue Baptist Church, Lake Wales.