June 20, 1957

 

This Article Appeared In The Times

But Was Not Actually Titled Cal’s Column

 

Transcribed by Janette West Grimes

 

Observes  Birthday

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   Elder C. B. Massey, the oldest Baptist minister in North Middle Tennessee, observed the 90th anniversary of his birth on last Sunday at Faith Baptist church, in Bowling Green, Ky., with a big public dinner and a large crowd of well wishers in attendance. Brother Massey preached at 11 o'clock and there followed a good service. A big dinner took place at 12 o'clock. The honoree received many nice presents, congratulations and the good wishes of hundreds of his good friends and relatives. He was also given a large financial contribution, for all of which Brother Massey wishes to say a great "big thank you" that can be heard among all his friends and acquaintances. Brother Massey is in fair health in spite of 90 years  of living and still takes a lively interest and enjoys life after nearly a century. His mind seems to be as clear and keen as it was when we first met him in 1910. He resides at Pleasant Shade in Smith County and each Sunday goes, often alone, to Bowling Green, where he has a full-time church.

 

   Brother C. B. Massey was given the name "Captain Buie" Massey, shortly after he was born June  16, 1867, in the extreme North side of Macon County, to his father and mother, Lon W. and Millie Jent Massey. His father died more than 80 years ago and he grew up amidst the hardship of life for an orphan boy in the years shortly following the Civil War. He was converted at the age of nearly 20 and united with Rocky Mound church, being baptized by Elder J. S. Meador. He was ordained by this church June 10, 1899. He has served as pastor of perhaps 50 or more churches, has held scores of debates, has written much for the Baptist press and has always been a lively and joyful Christian. He has had his share of life's afflictions, having had death to visit his home numerous times. His faith has always enabled him to look beyond the confines of this life and see the hand of the Lord directing him and now at nearly 100 years of age, his faith is strong in the Lord and his prospects bright for another world. He appears to feel that his life is nearly over, for he says: "I think it was my greatest birthday and liable to be my last one." He has a host of friends who join the editor in wishing him enough birthdays in the future to reach a century, although the patient and submissive minister does not himself ask for this much prolonging of his life on earth.

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This Article Appeared In The Times

But Was Not Actually Titled Cal’s Column

 

Stanton Gregory Dies From Heart Attack

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   Johnnie Stanton Gregory, aged 57 years, died Monday night, June 17th, passing away about nine thirty o'clock. Death was attributed to a heart attack. He had suffered an attack six years ago. He was a resident of the Pleasant Shade section and had been engaged in farming. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Beulah Gregory, one daughter, Mrs. Barry Dickerson, of Pleasant Shade; two grandchildren; one brother, Elston Gregory, of Nashville; a sister, Mrs. Lizzie Howell, of Lafayette; three half-brothers, Willard and George Allen Gregory, both of Pleasant Shade; and Thurman Gregory, of Lafayette; one half-sister, Mrs. Cordell Dickens, of Detroit; and his step-mother, Mrs. Ottie Gregory, also of Pleasant Shade.

 

   Funeral services were held at Sycamore Valley Baptist church on Wednesday afternoon by Elders T. C. Jones and Arnett Gregory, assisted by Brother Tommy Langford. Burial followed in the Carthage Cemetery. The deceased was a member of Sycamore Valley Baptist church and was a son of Willie Gregory and his wife, Mrs. Laura Nixon Gregory. The editor of the Times was Gregory's teacher in the year 1914, at Kittrell's school house, near which the family lived.