NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Columbus native Raymond M. (Ray) Rigdon, 84, who led the Southern Baptist Convention’s Seminary Extension ministry from 1969-88, died Jan. 16 after a lengthy illness.

Prior to his Seminary Extension work, Rigdon was superintendent of teaching and training in the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Sunday School department from 1940-42 after graduating from Mercer University in 1939.

Under Rigdon’s 18 years of leadership, the Extension ministry gained accreditation with the National Home Study Council (now the Distance Education and Training Council) in 1972 and became a member of the National University Extension Association.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris; a son, Robert Lee Rigdon, Sr; a daughter, Becca Brasfield; and one grandson.