October 2, 2026
CHATSWORTH, Ga. — Pastor George Ross is a legend in Whitfield and Murray Counties in North Georgia. For three decades, he was pastor of Center Point Baptist Church in Dalton and currently serves on the staff of Chatsworth’s First Baptist Church in pastoral care. On Aug. 18, Ross had his 90th birthday and the church started the celebration with a beautiful and celebratory occasion on Saturday, Aug. 16, to commemorate the happy occasion.
Senior Pastor Randy Ellis stated, “George Ross is a man who sets the golden standard for the heart of the pastor. At 90 years old, he still faithfully ministers to those under his care. Ross’s ability to connect with people and impart empathy is unmatched.
“Serving with him has been the highlight of my ministry. His testimony and dedication to the Lord and the church are an inspiration to me and an example for all. He is truly one of heaven’s choicest servants.”
Within the last month, the local Georgia Department of Driver Services did not renew Pastor Ross’s driver’s license because of his failing vision. Pastor Ellis and the church did not want him to feel like he was incapable of continuing to serve the church, and they decided to secure volunteer drivers to take Pastor Ross wherever his caring ministry was needed.
Mickey McNeill, former Murray County School Superintendent, assumed the responsibility of securing drivers to provide transportation for Pastor Ross. An email was sent out to the church membership to specify Ross’s need and explain the proposed solution. Drivers would be needed every Tuesday and Thursday to transport him to visit those in need of pastoral care and every other Sunday when his daughter, a healthcare professional, was not available to transport him to church.
Within two days, there were enough people who welcomed the opportunity to assist Pastor Ross to meet his transportation needs for the remainder of 2025.
McNeill said, “We are not driving Miss Daisy, but we are driving Brother George.”
The former school superintendent described Ross, stating, “He is a saint. He visits in the hospitals, the nursing homes, and ministers to the homebound, and he always encourages them and prays for them.
“He means so much to me. There is an aura about him that has a calming effect. He is a joy to be around, and I love his wry sense of humor. Interestingly, he always wears a sport coat or a suit even on the warmest of days.”
Carolyn Forrest has agreed to be one of Pastor Ross’s “chauffeurs” and looks forward to Sept. 2 when she will have her first opportunity to demonstrate her driving prowess to her pastor/friend.
Forrest commented, “Pastor Ross is perhaps the finest man in our county. He is also a man of great faith. Years ago, in pursuit of his theological education, he took his wife and three children to Kentucky, where he enrolled in Clear Creek Baptist Bible College,
“While he was there, his wife, Juanita, became ill and was hospitalized. The medical invoice was significant, and although George did not have the money to pay, he told the hospital authorities that he would pay the bill in a timely fashion. When the payment came due, he discovered that two churches had covered all expenses except for 37 dollars. God had honored his faith and answered his prayers.”
George Ross’s life is a story of solid biblical preaching, compassionate service, fervent prayers, and a consistent walk with Jesus.
So, the birthday celebration for this dear saint of God hosted by First Baptist Church of Chatsworth was most appropriate. More than 200 people came by the church to honor a life well lived.
Andrea Swanner, the church’s administrative assistant reported, “Brother Ross requested that no one bring gifts, only cards. The fellowship hall was decorated with his old Bibles, pictures of him and his family through the years, and yellow roses.”
For years, Ross has had a penchant for yellow roses. The hospital typically keeps a supply of yellow roses in stock for Ross, because he always takes one to the patients he visits.
Swanner added, “In addition to the yellow flowers that decorated the church fellowship hall for the celebration, there was a basket of yellow silk flowers for people to take home as a token of the occasion. Ross also gave the beautiful arrangement of flowers to the church to be displayed on Sunday morning, and following the service, Brother George announced he wanted all the ladies to come by and take a flower home.
“He is loved by the church and the community,” concluded Swanner. “There is no doubt that he loves God and his number one goal is to make sure others know their Creator and Redeemer.”
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