Pastor and seminary leader Landrum P. Leavell II dies

Landrum P. Leavell II, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls and president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, died in Sept. 26 in Wichita Falls. He was 81.

Leavell held two doctor of divinity degrees and a doctorate in theology. A graduate of New Orleans seminary, he had been a pastor of churches in Mississippi and Texas for 26 years when the struggling seminary asked him to become its seventh president in 1974. He served there until he retired in 1994.

“By any standard of measurement, Dr. Leavell is one of the greatest presidents that this seminary ever had,” said current NOBTS President Chuck Kelley.

Leavell was pastor of First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls from 1963 to 1975. He served as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas from 1971 to 1973.

Leavell authored or contributed to 14 books including Angels, Angels, Angels and Twelve Who Followed Jesus.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, JoAnn Paris Leavell; children Landrum P. Leavell III of Denton, Ann Leavell Beauchamp of Greensboro, Ga., Roland Q. Leavell II of Jackson, Miss., and David E. Leavell of Springfield, Tenn.; sister Margaret Leavell Mann of Newnan, Ga.; and 11 grandchildren.

Leavell was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Leonard O. Leavell, and a sister, Anne Leavell Murphey of Newnan, Ga.

The funeral will be at First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls,  at 2 p.m.  Tuesday, Sept. 30 under direction of Lunns Colonial Funeral Home, with visitation to follow in the church’s parlor. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan, Ga., under the direction of Higgins-Hillcrest Chapel Funeral Home.   A memorial chapel service will be conducted Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. in Leavell Chapel, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Memorials gifts are requested to be given to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls.