In Memorium
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (King James Version)
Hebrews 12:1
LEVI GRIFFIN
Levi Griffin was born on 3/8/1891 to Dock and Lugenia Griffin. He was the oldest of 21 siblings. He married Eva Green and they had 14 children. He was of slender build, tall with black hair and brown eyes. He was a farmer who owned his home which sat on a 200 plus acres farm. He acquired a syrup mill which was passed down from his father. He grew his own sugar cane and used the mill to grind the cane to make syrup. He was a great provider for his family and they had a family tradition of having a reunion on the 2nd Saturday in August under the walnut tree near the Syrup house. This tradition still continues to this day. He was well known in the community
Levi was a deacon at Thankful Baptist Church before moving his membership to Oak Grove. He served as Chairman of the Deacon Board beginning around 1959 and was a great asset to the church. His favorite songs was “Shine on Me” and favorite hymns were “Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone”, I Love Thy Kingdom Lord,”, “Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee”, and “The Day Is Past and Gone”. He served the church well until his health failed in 1978. He passed away on 1/14/1978.
His children served in different ministries of the church, from the choir, deacon board and the usher board. His grandchildren and great grands continues to serve to this day.
DEA. DAVID HALE
David Hale was born June 10, 1874 to Major and Sarah Hale. His paternal grandmother was Nancy Hale. His siblings were Harry, Alice, Jeriline, Mary, Sarah, Moses, Susan, Cuylor & Thomas.
David was joined in holy matrimony to Ida McKnight Hale from Dunbartin, Barnwell County, SC. Ida’s parents were Asbery and Mary McKnight. David and Ida had seven children, namely, Robert, Sarah, Mary, Josie, Henry, James and David. David joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age and began his work in the church. He was a Trustee of the church under Rev. Cassius Reddick. In March 1940, Dea. Hales laid the foundation of the church and the church was completed in a very short length of time. He continued to work in the church until his death on July 19, 1951.
David was a farmer. He owned his home and had a large farm. He also had his own syrup mill and a chicken hatchery. He was a carpenter and brick layer. He was able to read and write. His family owned a large portion of land on what is now known as Thankful Church Road, Girard, Georgia. His family was in the logging business also. The family eventually moved to Hartford, Connecticut after his death. His wife, Ida Hale, passed away in Connecticut on September 26, 1972.
Ralph Griffin was born September 22, 1925 to Rev. Otis Walter Griffin and Mary Hilton Griffin. His Siblings were Frank, Albert, Beulah & James. His paternal grandparents were Dock and Lugenia Griffin and maternal grandparents were Shelly and Estella Hilton.
Ralph joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age. He was joined in Holy Matrimony to Loretta Gordon and to that union was added 6 children, Doris, Estelle, Rettalene, Victorious, Gordon and Flavoria.. He was ordained as a deacon in the decade of the 50’s by Rev. Cassius Reddick and served his role as a deacon. He also served as janitor of the church.
Ralph was employed with Murray Biscuit Company and worked there until he retired. After retiring in the 70’s, he started creating folk art. His sculptures were created from pieces of twisted driftwood and roots in which he used his imagination to carve and paint to come up with a fantastic animal shape or some other form and his yard reflected his art. His art work has previously been shown in the exhibition “Another Face in the Diamond Pathways Through the Black Atlantic South organized by the Intar Gallery of New York in 1989.
His favorite Hymn was : “A Charge to Keep I Have” and favorite song was “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”.
Ralph loved to laugh and have fun and was a joyous person to be around. All of his children are living and continues to work in the church.
ROBERT “JUDGE” CARTER
Robert “Judge” Carter was born March 17, 1912 to Oscar Carter and Bertha Green Carter in Barnwell, SC. He had 10 siblings. He joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age. He married Viola McNeal on January 20, 1934 and they had 6 sons and 6 daughters: Julia Veola, Geneva, Douglas MacArthur, John Wilson, James Watson, Robert, William, Benjamin, Bertha, Doris, Rosanna & Shirley. He worked as a farmer.
He was ordained as a deacon in October 1945 by Rev. Reddick and served on the Board of Deacons for over 58 years. Dea. Carter was known for his powerful inspiring prayers and his vast knowledge of the Bible.
His favorite song was “He’s a Battle Axe In the Time of Battle” and his favorite hymn was “A Charge to Keep I Have. He departed from this live on March 8, 2004.
Dea. Carter currently have 4 siblings living, Maryann Clark, Loretta Moore, Thelma Miller & Ruby Mobley). With God’s blessings, Maryann Clark will turn 100 years old in August of this year. His sibling, Ruby Mobley, currently serves on the Mother Board.
NANCY MOBLEY TURNER
Sis. Nancy Mobley Turner was born July 11, 1896 to Lucinda Green Mobley and Richard Mobley. Her siblings were Joe Green & Bessie Green. She joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age and begin her work in the church.
She was joined in holy matrimony to Lonnie Turner on November 22, 1914. They had 16 children as follows: Viola, Melissa, Martha, Mary, Lucille, Lottie Bell, Lonnie, Alease, Willie, James, Sarah Lee, Nathaniel, Arlene & Robert. Two children died at birth.
Sis. Turner was a homemaker and she loved to cook. She loved visiting with her family in the surrounding area. They helped each other & looked out for each other.
Sis. Turner was a faithful member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and served her church well. Her favorite songs were: “Won’t It Be Grand” and “I shall Not Be Moved”. Her favorite Hymn was “Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone”.
Sis. Turner currently have two children living, Sarah Gaines & Nathaniel Turner. Sister Sarah attended Oak Grove faithfully until she became ill. Sis. Nancy grandchildren and great grandchildren work in different ministries of the church such as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Deacon Ministry, Mission Ministry, Usher Board, food ministry and the choir.
SIS. EULA MAE HOPKINS
Eula Mae Williams Hopkins was born on November 20, 1913 to Susie and Jack Williams. Her siblings are Josie and Louis. She was baptized at an early age at Oak Grove Baptist Church where she began her work in the church.
Eula Mae Williams were united in holy matrimony to J.C. Hopkins and to that union were added six children as follows: Juanita, Donald, Viola, Joann, Willie & Ronnie. She also reared a grand-daughter, Angela Hopkins Roberts as her daughter. Sis. Hopkins raised a lot of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sis. Hopkins lived in St. Petersburg, Florida for a period of time before returning to Girard, Georgia. She was a great cook and enjoyed getting the family together on Sundays and enjoying great meal.
Sis. Eula enjoyed Quartet singers such as Lee Williams and Slim and the Supreme Angels. Her favorite songs were “You Got to Move” and “Order My Steps.
Sis. Hopkins currently have a sister living, Sis. Josie Stewart, who is in her 90’s and attends Oak Grove regularly. Her children and grandchildren work in different ministries of the church such as Mission Ministry, Food Ministry and choir ministry.
JAMES BENJAMIN “BOY D” WHITE, SR
James B. White, Sr. was born August 3, 1924 to Porter White and Mattie Reddick White Heath. His siblings were Julia and Porter. His Paternal Grandparents were Peter White and Julia Gray White. He was baptized at Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age.
On December 23, 1945, he married Elvie “Beauty” Givens. As a family man, he spent much time rearing his children; James, Benjamin, Larry, Charles, Minus, Grady, Elvie & Eartha. He taught them to fear the Lord. He was ordained as a Deacon by Rev. Cashius Reddick in the 1950’s. He loved the Lord and displayed his love through his service as a dedicated deacon.
After moving to Richmond County, he became an entrepreneur in the service station business for 15 years. He also ran his own sanitation business until he retired.
He was well known in the community and was known for visiting the sick and fellowshipping with other believers. He represented Oak Grove well at other churches in the community. He was known for his singing and his dance.
His favorite songs were: “Low Down the Chariot”, “You Can’t Hide Sinner”, and “In My Father’s House”. He resigned as Chairman of The Deacons on December 9, 2001 but continue to serve as “Chairman Emeritus”.
Dea. White passed away on June 28, 2013. His children continue to work in different capacities of the church, the usher board, food ministry and attend on a regular basis.
SIMON WILLIAM CARTER
Simon W. Carter was born August 30, 1920 to Oscar Carter & Bertha Green Carter. He joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age. He married Mamie Ellison Carter in 1942 and they had 6 sons and 7 daughters: William, Jr., Roosevelt, Earnestine, Gene, Annie Ruth, Maryann, Dorothy, Josh, Michael, Bobby, Sharon, Shirley & Eva. He had 10 sibling. He was ordained as a deacon by Rev. Reddick in the decade of the 50’s.
Dea. Carter loved to hunt using his own coon dogs which he trained and also sold. He was a World War II Army Veteran. He served from 1942 – 1945. He retired as a City of Augusta employee.
Dea Carter was known for his infectious laughter. He served on the board of deacons, finance committee & as grounds keeper. Dea. Carter was known for is powerful prayers and always ended his prayers in this manner: “WHEN I HAVE WALKED AROUND THE WALL THE LAST TIME, HOOPED THE LAST WAR HOOP ON THE BATTLEFIELD, WHEN I HAVE STUCK MY SWORD IN THE GOLDEN SANDS OF TIME, FOLD MY ARMS ACROSS MY CHEST, CAN’T STUDY WAR NO MORE, OVER YONDER WHERE JOBE DECLARED THE WEAKED SHALL DECEASE FROM TROUBLING AND THE WEARY SHALL BE AT REST.
His favorite hymns were: Hymn # 65 “The Day Has Pass and Gone”; Hymn #520 “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord”; Hymn #492 “Amazing Grace and “Hymn #406 “What a Friend”. His favorite songs were: Come and Go To That Land and Old Account was Settled Long Ago.
Dea. Carter currently have 4 siblings living, Maryann Clark, Loretta Moore, Thelma Miller & Ruby Mobley). With God’s blessings, Maryann Clark will turn 100 years old in August of this year.
SIS. LILLIE MAE GREEN
Lillie Mae Clark was born on January 14, 1898 to Lugenia Oliver Clark and William Early Clark. Her siblings were Tanny, Julius, Acie, Bessie, Lessie, Eula, Emily, Emma and John. Her maternal grandmother, Hannah Oliver (born in 1840) was a slave who came from Virginia. Her maternal great grandmother was Caroline Oliver. Her uncle, Jacob Oliver, son name Douglas was the first one in the family to be buried at the new Oak Grove site.
Lillie joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an Early age and begin her work in the church. She joined in Holy Matrimony to Joseph W. Green, Sr. on December 25, 1912 and to that union was added Carrie Nina, Roger, Lugenia, Joseph, Jr. and Annie V. Annie V is her only living child. She also reared her grandchildren, Catherine, Clematine, Bishop Thomas Aaron and her great grandson, Carl Walker.
Lillie was a great seamtress who used her foot pedal sewing machine to do her sewing. She was always the first to rise in the morning to get breakfast ready and was the last to leave the house to go to the field. She was a great cook and made biscuits and hoe cake bread for her family at every meal, 3 times per day. She enjoyed canning vegetables and fruits. Her grandson, Lafayette remembers one of his favorite meals that she prepared as bologna and grits which was delicious.
Lillie Green passed away on February 22, 1972. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to work faithfully in the church on the deacon board, in the choir and music ministry, and on the trustee board.
SIS. Audrene Hooper
In Loving Memory of My Daughter Sis. Audrene Hooper
In Loving Memory Of Our Mother