Bob Layman of Greenville, longtime Texas Baptist pastor, died May 7. He was 86. He was born Feb. 4, 1936, in Gunter to William Carl and Dillie Virginia Skelton Layman. He married Doris Jean Todd on May 27, 1955, in Gunter. He was a graduate of Southeastern State College in Durant, Okla., and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He was pastor of multiple churches from 1954 to 2006, including a long-term pastorate at Washington Street Baptist Church in Greenville, which became Highland Terrace Baptist Church during his time there. In 2016, he was named pastor emeritus of Highland Terrace Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Doris Layman of Greenville; son David Layman and wife Tammy of Crowley; son Nathan Layman and wife Renee’ of Greenville; daughter Carla Moody and husband Randy of Pasadena; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother Carl Gene Layman and by his sisters Beulah Horak, Corrine Baker and Virginia Neil. Memorials may be made to the Highland Terrace Baptist Church Building Fund, 3939 Joe Ramsey Blvd., Greenville, TX  75401.

Kenneth A. Coffee, longtime Texas Baptist pastor, associational director of missions and denominational leader, died April 28 in San Antonio. He was 87. He was born July 10, 1934, in West Hempstead, N.Y., but he spent most of his life and all 67 years of his ministry in Texas. He earned his undergraduate degree from what is now Wayland Baptist University. He also studied at the Institute for American Church Growth and the Institute of Church Conciliation, as well as receiving training and certification in intentional interim ministry, mediation and arbitration. He served several Texas Baptist churches, including Harlandale Baptist Church in San Antonio as pastor. He was executive director of San Antonio Baptist Association after previously serving the association as director of education and promotion and as associate director of missions. Coffee worked on the Baptist General Convention of Texas staff as coordinator of area and associational missions and as associate director of the State Missions Commission. In 2018, Texas Baptists presented him their Legacy Award. First Baptist Church in San Antonio recognized him as a life deacon, and he taught a Sunday morning Bible class at the church 20 years. He served on the board of directors of the Baptist Credit Union. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha L. Coffee, and his two older sisters, Mary “Tweety” Buzzard and Shirley Brown. He is survived by daughter Risa Kacir and her husband Chad; son Blake Coffee and his wife Kappie; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a younger sister, Evelyn Richardson.

James Edward Healer of Greenville, who served various Texas Baptist churches as a minister of music, youth and education, died March 19. He was 75. He was born on March 25, 1946, to Francis Edward “F.E.” and Mary Louise (Cook) Healer in Merkel and grew up in Sweetwater. He surrendered to the gospel ministry in 1965 and was a 1971 graduate of North Texas State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in music education. He was band director in Forney, Malakoff, Waxahachie, Troup, Anson, Ingram and Roscoe, while also serving as a bivocational minister of music and youth. In 1979, he earned a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He went to serve as full-time minister of music and education at churches in Midland and Kerrville, as well as in Centerville, Ohio. From 1996 until his retirement in 2013, he worked as a corporate trainer and quality control analyst. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy, of Greenville; son Jim and wife Monica of McKinney; son Jason and wife Debbie of Fort Worth; son Jared and wife Dana of Aubrey; two granddaughters and eight grandsons.

Joe Thomas “Joe T.” Lenamon, one of the founding fathers of the Texas Baptist Men missions organization, died April 2 in Fort Worth. He was 92. He was born Oct. 5, 1929, in a farmhouse at the Box Church/Rocky Point community near Groesbeck to Bart and Kate Lenamon. After graduating as valedictorian of his class at Groesbeck High School and earning his associate degree at Tarleton State Junior College, he attended Texas A&M University. At Texas A&M, he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education, was a member of the Corps of Cadets and received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. His further education included studies at Texas Christian University, Brantley Draughon Business College, American Institute of Banking and National Trust School of Northwestern University. He married his hometown sweetheart, Tomi Jean Anderson, on Aug. 21, 1951. Soon after their honeymoon, he reported to Biloxi, Miss., to begin his service in the Air Force. He was deployed to Korea, where he flew missions in RB-26s as an electronic counter-measures operator. After he completed his military service, a cup of coffee with a cousin in Fort Worth led to a job as a paying/receiving teller at the Fort Worth National Bank and the beginning of his banking career. He retired in 1995 as a senior vice president of the bank after 41 years of service. He was ordained as a deacon at Eastover Baptist Church of Fort Worth in 1957. The Lenamons joined Travis Avenue Baptist Church of Fort Worth in 1961, where he served in numerous leadership positions over the next six decades. In 1967, he was instrumental in the founding of Texas Baptist Men. He was the organization’s president from 1974 to 1976. In 2008, he received the Pioneer Award for Service from the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation. He served on the board of several charitable trusts and Hardin-Simmons University, as well as many civic organizations and local charities. He served many years on the board of what is now Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose. Both Lenamon Lodge at Riverbend Retreat Center and Lake Lenamon at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment were named in his honor. In addition to his denominational service at the local, state and national levels, he also served on multiple councils related to Texas A&M University, including the Chancellor’s Century Council executive committee and the 12th Man Foundation. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Beth Fife; a brother, John; his wife of 68 years, Tomi; and a son, Joel. He is survived by his daughter Roseanne and husband, John McAdams; son Mickey and wife, Sallie Lenamon; son Tony Lenamon; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Frances DuPlantis. A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. on April 23 at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. The memorial service will be livestreamed here, with the link opening when the service begins. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Texas Baptist Men or Travis Avenue Baptist Church.

Donna Kay Simms Fulfer, a former director on the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board and longtime member of South Garland Baptist Church, died April 2 after a lengthy battle with lung disease. She was 74. She was born Aug. 27, 1947, in Dallas to Pat Harvey Simms and Mary Kathryn Simms and grew up in the Pleasant Grove area. On Oct. 20, 1967, she married Bobby Joe Fulfer. She was a member of South Garland Baptist Church 45 years, serving on multiple committees and in a variety of roles. She founded the Fulfer and Associates accounting and financial services firm in downtown Garland in 1970. As a lifelong learner, she earned certified public accountant, certified financial planner and registered representative designations. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother Jerry Simms. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Bobby; daughter Donesa Jo Rodriguez and husband Marco; daughter Deonna Kay Osborn; granddaughter Hope Kathryn Osborn; and an aunt, Marjorie Baumgardner.

Wallace Philpot, longtime Texas Baptist pastor, died March 5 in Keller. He was 87. He was born on Sept. 5, 1934, in Siloam Springs, Ark., to Jake Sandlin Philpot and Virginia Elizabeth Huffman Philpot. In 1955, he joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. Prior to joining the army, Wallace worked as a barber, and his life changed forever the day a young woman named Aleen came into the barbershop. They were married in 1960. Wallace served Edgefield Baptist Church in Waco as pastor while he was a student at Baylor University. In July 1966, Wallace accepted a call to become pastor of Oak View Baptist Church in Irving. He served the church 38 years prior to his retirement in 2004. During his tenure, he led Oak View Baptist Church through a number of capital and spiritual growth campaigns beginning with “Faith in Action” in 1967 and culminating with the construction of a new worship center in 2001. In 2005, the church named him pastor emeritus. Wallace served Dallas Baptist Association in a variety of roles, including moderator, parliamentarian and building committee chairman for Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Aleen Mae Philpot; sister Wanda Shook; and brother Paul Philpot. He is survived by son Wayne Philpot and wife Wendy of Santa Anna, daughter Lisa Jones and husband Steve of Haslet, five grandchildren, and brother Bruce Philpot and wife Suzanne of Galveston. A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. on March 12 at Oak View Baptist Church in Irving. The family encourages memorial gifts to Grace House c/o Norma Sandel, 11640 Net Leaf Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76254.

Linda Lester Ford and David Morris Ford, Christian musicians with Texas Baptist roots, died within two weeks of each other—she on Jan. 3 and he on Jan. 17. She was 83, and he was 85. At the time of their deaths, they lived in Nashville, Tenn., where he served as minister of music at First Baptist Church before they began a full-time ministry leading music in revivals and performing in conferences and concerts. He was born Jan. 5, 1937. His father was W. Morris Ford, pastor of First Baptist Church in Longview for 26 years. She was born Sept. 12, 1938, and grew up in Nederland. They met during their student years at Baylor University. David Ford was an active participant in The CenturyMen, a 100-voice all-male chorus, for 42 years. He also was the principal bass soloist on four tours with the Robert Shaw Chorale. He performed with symphony orchestras as bass soloist, performed in hundreds of oratorio productions, presented numerous classical vocal recitals and performed some grand opera and musical theater. His career included more than 200 performances as Elijah in the Felix Mendelssohn work by the same name. Linda Ford, who earned a master’s degree in piano performance from George Peabody College, taught on the music faculty at Belmont University for 32 years specializing in private piano instruction and piano pedagogy. The Fords are survived by son Scott and his wife Laurie of Nashville; daughter Gwyn of Nashville; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Joe Provence, who served Wayland Baptist University in a variety of roles, died Jan. 21. He was 82. He was born Aug. 29,1939, in Hillsboro to E.E. and Mildred Harris Provence. He married Freda Taylor on Aug. 18,1961, in Lubbock. He graduated from Wayland Baptist University in 1966. The following year, he was employed as Wayland’s director of recruitment and promotion. Over the course of the next four decades, he served Wayland as director of public relations, director of student activities and director of alumni services. He was named emeritus director of alumni services by Wayland’s board of trustees in 2006. He was ordained as a deacon at College Heights Baptist Church in Plainview in August 2016. Wayland honored Joe and Freda Provence with its Distinguished Alumni Award, Spirit of Philanthropy Award and President’s Award. The Provences also were inducted into the Wayland Athletic Hall of Honor. “I have known and worked with Joe for more than 40 years and consider him a dear friend,” Wayland President Bobby Hall said. “He has meant so much to the life of this university through his love for our students and his support of our programs. His influence can be seen all around campus, and we are thankful for all he and Freda have done for the university. And while we will truly miss him, we celebrate his life and legacy at Wayland Baptist University.” He was preceded in death by a brother, Sam Provence, and a sister, Louise Provence Laine. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Freda Provence of Plainview and his sister, Louise Provence Laine.

Nelda Joye Camp, a longtime member of Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville, died Jan. 26 in Garland. She was 96. She was born Nov. 3, 1925, in Campbell to O.T. and Susan White. After she graduated from Greenville High School in 1942, she went to work in the Hunt County School Superintendent’s office. Later, she worked in the personnel office at TEMCO Aircraft when the Greenville plant started production. She married Roy Camp Jr. on Aug. 21, 1954, in Greenville. After she became a fulltime homemaker in 1960, she held leadership roles in PTA, Cub Scouts and various church organizations. She was a member of Highland Terrace Baptist Church more than 40 years, where she was involved in Woman’s Missionary Union and the Sunshine Bible Study Class and served as a church librarian. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1993 and by three sisters—Coy Darby, Evelyn Ingram and Loys Ingram. She is survived by a son, Kenneth Roy Camp and his wife Diane; grandson Daniel Camp and his wife Lindsey; grandson Matthew Camp and his wife Devon; grandson Nathan Camp; four great-grandchildren—Henry, Andrew, Owen and Katherine Joye Camp; a sister, Sandra Oden of DeBerry; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 30, and a memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 31, at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville.

Marvin Knox, a Baptist pastor who served churches in Texas and Oklahoma more than six decades, died Jan. 16 in Marlow, Okla. He was 88. He was born May 11, 1933, in Canadian to John W. Knox and Imagene Dunsworth Knox. He grew up in Borger, then a Texas Panhandle petroleum boomtown, where he graduated from Borger High School in 1952. He married the love of his life, Margaret Moore Knox, Aug. 20, 1954, in Higgins. He earned a degree from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He accepted his first pastorate in 1957 and followed that calling until he retired in 2019. His pastorates in Texas included Keeler Baptist Church in Borger, Lincoln Street Baptist Church in Dalhart, Key Heights Baptist Church in Perryton and Southside Baptist Church in Wichita Falls. He served on the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board and the board of directors of the Oklahoma Baptist Foundation. Beyond the pastorate, his most memorable feat was donating a kidney to his daughter Martha Knox Scott in 1994. At 61, he was the oldest living organ donor in the history of Parkland Hospital in Dallas. His donation extended her life by more than 14 years; she died April 26, 2009. He also was preceded in death by his twin brother Garvin and their younger brothers, Gorman and Norman. He is survived by his wife of 67 year Margaret Knox; son Marv Knox and wife Joanna of Durham, N.C.; son Martin Knox and wife Valorie of Weatherford; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the National Kidney Foundation or the Knox Fund for Immigrant Relief.

Robert G. “Bob” Campbell, longtime Texas Baptist pastor and former president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, died Dec. 14. He was 82. He was born Aug. 2, 1939 in Shreveport, La., to James Birchfield and Callie Mae Lunsford Campbell. Campbell was a graduate of Louisiana College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in multiple roles throughout his time as a minister, including as senior pastor at Northwest Baptist Church in Ardmore, Okla., Calvary Baptist Church in Garland and Westbury Baptist Church in Houston. He was chair of the BGCT Executive Board, as well as BGCT president. After he retired from the pastorate, he was a distinguished professor with the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute and an adjunct professor at Houston Baptist University. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Judy. He is survived by a son Michael Campbell and his wife Karin; a daughter Michelle Zimmerman and her husband David; and six grandchildren.

Kay Taylor Sandlin, who served three decades as a preschool teacher at Beech Street Baptist Church in Texarkana, died Dec. 26 after a brief battle with cancer. She was 69. She was born Oct. 7, 1952, in Shreveport, La., to Gorman and Willa Mae Taylor. After graduating from Captain Shreve High School, she earned an undergraduate degree in home economics degree from Louisiana State University. She went to work as a teacher for the Texarkana Independent School District, and in Texarkana, she met her husband of 46 years, Rickey Sandlin. She taught at Westlawn Middle School before taking a break to stay home to raise her sons, Taylor and Erick. She then became a preschool teacher at Beech Street Baptist Church where she worked more than 30 years until her retirement in 2015. As an accomplished seamstress, she made many dresses, altered countless dance costumes and prom dresses, and created many beautiful articles of clothing. She was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Texarkana. She is survived by her husband, Rickey Sandlin; son Taylor Sandlin and wife Alyson of Sugar Land; son Erick Sandlin of Houston; two grandchildren; sisters Jan Hopkins of Marshall and Renee Beard and husband David of Natchitoches, La.; stepbrother Ron Smith and wife Louise of Shreveport; stepbrother Larry Smith and wife Sheryl Smith of Longview; and stepsister Kay LeRoy and husband Steve of Shreveport.