Retirements

Ernest O. King, Jr. has announced his retirement as minister of music and senior adults at Immanuel Baptist Church in Savannah. He will conclude his twenty-eight year service at the church on Jan. 25. A Reunion Choir, which will include former choir members, will present a concert on Jan. 24. On the day of his retirement there will be a special service followed by dinner in the Family Life Center.

King grew up in Brunswick, Md., where he began his music ministry as organist of First Baptist Church. He received his bachelor’s degree from Shepherd College, Shepherdstown, W.Va., and his BCM from Southern Seminary.

Since his ordination into the music ministry in 1964 he has served First Baptist Church, Port Wentworth, Franconia (Virginia) Baptist Church, Tabernacle Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va., and Immanuel Baptist Church in Savannah. While serving at Franconia Baptist Church he also served as chairman of the music department of Luther Rice College.

He and his wife, the former Dorothea Jane Wilson, have a son, Trey, and one grandson, Royce.

F. Hugh Kirby will retire as pastor of First Baptist Church of Hartwell on May 2. Kirby has served at the church for 17 years. He previously served as minister of education at Grace Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.; First Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C.; and Dunwoody Baptist Church in Atlanta. Kirby also served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in West Lafayette, Ind.

Paul T. Thomas will retire as minister of spiritual development at First Baptist Church in Tifton on Jan. 30. Since 1970 he has served at First Thomasville, First Tifton, and First Griffin, before returning to First Tifton in August 2000.

Thomas served on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention while president of the Georgia Baptist Religious Education Association, and is serving a second term as trustee of Georgia Baptist Retirement Communities. He has served in Sunday School leadership positions in Thomas County, Mell, and Flint River associations.

He is a certified Sunday School equipper, a member of the Baptist Association of Christian Education, and a Sunday School FAITH director.

In retirement, Thomas and his wife, Betty, will live in Tifton. He will be available for Sunday School and Discipleship Training conferences, pulpit supply, and other ministries.

Loretta Waters has announced her retirement from Eastside Baptist Church in Claxton. Waters, who will retire in May, has served as church secretary for nearly 30 years. Jan. 11 was designated as "Mrs. Loretta Waters Day" and a reception was held in her honor. Her plans for retirement include taking time to enjoy some of her favorite hobbies and spending time with her granddaughter, Leah.