TENNESCENE: JAN. 8

January 8, 2025

PEOPLE

Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Maryville, held a special lunch for retiring pastor Gary McCammon and his wife Penny on Jan. 5. The McCammons are moving to Georgia to be near their family. Levi Sanders will be the new lead pastor of Cedar Grove.

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Winchester, will hold revival services Jan. 26-31 with guest preacher Patrick Waller, pastor of College Street Baptist Church, Tullahoma. Sam O’Neal of Rutledge Falls Baptist Church, Tullahoma, will lead worship music.

DEATHS

William P. “Bill” Oakley of Trimble died Dec. 9 at the age of 93. During his 74 years of ministry he pastored several churches including First Baptist Church, Trimble, where he served for 15 years. After retirement he served numerous churches as needed including Enon Baptist Church in Halls where he was a member and honored with the title “pastor emeritus.” In the past two years he served as pastor of Palestine Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Newbern. Oakley shared the gospel of Jesus Christ in more than eight countries and countless locations throughout the United States. In an article in the Baptist and Reflector in 2022, Oakley said his “greatest blessing has been to have seen about 4,000 people come to know Jesus during these 72 years, and to have baptized about 2,000 of those.” He estimated that he preached more than 15,300 sermons (in that article) and traveled more than two million miles during his ministry. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pattye Laverne Oakley, and a son and daughter. He is survived by his wife, Peggy J. Miller Oakley, two daughters, 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Donna Louise Sparks Haskins of Old Hickory died Dec. 18 at the age of 77. She was a helpmate to her husband, Dan Haskins, retired chaplain and former pastor and campus minister. She served as a ministry assistant at Stone Association of Baptists, First Baptist Church, Cookeville, Homesteads Baptist Church, Crossville, and Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory. She was a past officer of the Tennessee Baptist Secretaries Association. She is survived by her husband and a son.

EDUCATION

Carson-Newman University’s winter commencement showcased the accomplishments of some 300 graduates. The Dec. 13 ceremony was held at the Sevierville Convention Center. Graduates representing 27 different states and nine countries were addressed by keynote speaker Cameron Conn, president of Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA).

Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, delivered the commencement address Dec. 14 to 221 graduates who received their degrees Dec. 14 during commencement exercises for the university’s 200th graduating class in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel on the Union campus. He urged graduates to make a lasting impact through consistent, behind-the-scenes service rather than seeking high-profile leadership roles.
The 2025 senior class of Cary (N.C.) Christian School recently spent a week at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport. While there, they completed a missions project by building a ramp for former Carson Springs staff member Patty Jenkins, third from back. Jenkins served as housekeeping coordinator before stepping down due to health issues.
Gene Nelson, left, Harvest Field 6 leader for Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, presents a Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions certificate to David Hawkins, director of missions for Nolachucky Baptist Association. In the background is TBMB staff member William Burton.
Matt Ledbetter, right, director of missions for Duck River Baptist Associator recently delivered donations from the association’s churches to Dennis Thurman, director of missions of Haywood Baptist Association in North Carolina which was one of the hardest hit areas in the state.
Polk County Baptist Association Disaster Relief recently collected items for flood victims. From left are, standing, John Hardin, Samuel Burget, Wally Whitman; kneeling, Ryan Potts and Bill Repsheer.
Oaklawn Baptist Church, Winchester, recently celebrated the nearly 48 years of service of Bobby Taylor who has served faithfully as minister of music at Oaklawn as well as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Shown with him is his wife, Elaine.