TENNESCENE: APRIL 30

April 30, 2025

DEATHS

Morris Lynn Anderson, 73, died on April 18, 2025, in Maryville.

He was born on May 13, 1951, in Metropolis, Ill.

Anderson was a full-time evangelist and Founder and President of M.A.N.N.A. Ministries. Prior to becoming an evangelist, he was pastor of Dotson Memorial Baptist Church of Maryville, First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, and Central Baptist Church in Winchester, Ky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyndall and Sarah Mizell Anderson; one brother, Robert Anderson; and two sisters, Margaret Sielbeck and Linda Trout.

He is survived by his wife, Darlenia Anderson, whom he married on July 26, 1970, at the First Baptist Church of Metropolis, Ill. Other survivors include two daughters, Angela McKenzie of Durham, N.C., and Sarah Anderson of Maryville; and five granddaughters, Mary Margaret and Laura McKenzie of Durham, and Courtney, Ashley, and Hannah Parrish of Maryville.

First Baptist Church Hohenwald, during a Palm Sunday service, bid farewell to Lisa Anderson, who retired after a 34-year tenure as their office manager. The congregation gathered to honor Anderson's commitment to the church community. “I don’t look at myself as just a secretary or office manager — this has been my ministry,” Anderson reflected during the ceremony. “Thank you seems so inadequate to try and convey the gratefulness I have toward this church.” Throughout her career, Anderson saw significant transformations within the congregation while serving alongside four different pastors. Though she will be retiring from the church, she said she will still be seen around the church in the years ahead. Anderson, center, is seen with Mark and Cynthia Proctor from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Noah’s Ark Widows Ministry completed their annual trip to the Appalachian Trail to minister to the hikers from April 10 – 14. Members of this year's team were Sally Riley, Summertown Baptist; Janet Haun, Leoma Baptist; Sara Gobble, New Prospect Baptist; Pam Thornton, Five Points Baptist; Diane Hildenbrandt, FBC Columbia; and Jody Konig, Summertown Baptist. Noah's Ark Widows Ministry is sponsored by Ethridge FBC and meets on the first Saturday of every month in their fellowship hall. The group started in 2010 and have welcomed 134 members over the years. All widows are invited to join them.
Steve Davis was honored on March 30 at Faith Baptist Church in Hollow Rock, for his 50 years of dedicated service in the ministry. The ceremony was presided over by Jimmy Furr, former Director of the Carroll-Benton Baptist Association and current interim pastor of Faith Baptist Church. Furr presented Davis with a plaque and certificate acknowledging his remarkable years of service to God. Davis retired as pastor of Faith Baptist on Dec. 31 in 2017. Pictured here, from left to right, are Linda Davis, Steve Davis, and Jimmy Furr.
A team of four mission volunteers serving on the Cross Partners Ministry team returned last month from two weeks in the Republic of the Philippines. They served with over 10 churches in two different Baptist associations and participated in over 40 evangelistic crusades with the Filipino Baptists on Luzon Island. Led by Charles Pratt, president and founder of the Cross Partners Ministry, Inc., the team saw 2,897 professions of faith and over 100 other decisions for the Lord Jesus. Pratt is retired with the Fayette Baptist Association and is the former mission’s director and a member of FBC of Somerville. He has been leading volunteer mission teams on five continents for over 36 years to serve on mission trips.
DOM Clay Gilbreath of the Big Hatchie Baptist Association was Minister of the Day for the Tennessee State Senate on April 9 in Nashville. Pictured are State Sen. Paul Rose, Speaker Randy McNally, Clay and Lana Gilbreath.