"This baptism was the result of a revival where a lot of young
folks dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and wanted to be baptized
and become members of Dry Valley Baptist Church. This was the last
church my Dad would pastor before retiring. Prior to this church Dad
was Pastor at West Summerville Baptist Church, Mountain View Baptist
Church, Berryton Baptist Church, and Waterville Baptist Church. He
really loved working with the “young folks.” While at Waterville he
organized a boys baseball team that played other teams in Chattooga
County.
"Dad had a local radio
program on Sunday mornings on WGTA. I recall riding with him through
the streets of Trion with a loud speaker attached to his car announcing
an upcoming revival.
"For a period of time Daddy would work in
the cotton mill at night, cut hair on Saturday at Trion Barber Shop,
work his garden in the summer, preach on Sunday morning and Sunday
night as well as on Wednesday night. Dad felt a man’s idle hands
led to a devil’s work.
"While at Dry Valley the Church burned due to a furnace
defect. Daddy was working the 3rd shift at Riegel Textile and was
“burning both ends of the candle” to get it rebuilt. He had a bad heart
attack as a result of this strain on his heart. Many years later, after
retiring, Dad was notified the “note” was being burned to signal the
Church was now paid for and he rejoiced with other members. This “note
burning” was pictured in the local newspapers and in T. Emmett Nunn’s
book.
"Dad lived to be 79 and died in 1991. He was a hard working and devoted man. I loved him dearly."
For a high resolution image of the above photographs, click here.
Thanks
to Mackie Carson for the heartfelt memories of his father. Photographs
by T. Emmett Nunn. Courtesy of Chattooga County Library.