Oran Heaton Griffith

Oran Heaton Griffith. . The first of Wyatt Greer and Francis Ethel Griffith's nine children was born at Mt. Bethel, Panola County, Texas on November 24, 1914, they named him Heaton Oran. He changed it to Oran Heaton. Family and close friends called him Heaton. Others called him O.H., He trusted Christ July 28, 1928 at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church and was baptized the next day, the last day of a protracted meeting., While his father pastored Smyrna Baptist Church at Oak Flat, he met Alice Marie Bradbury. They were married Friday July 13, 1934 by his father on the front porch of the Griffith House in Mt. Bethel. One year later, July 13, 1935, a son, Charles Leo, was born., During revival services at Smyrna Baptist Church in July 1936, O.H. announced his call to preach. They immediately licensed him and in August 1938, they ordained him. He was bi-vocational for ten years: farming and teaching school to support his family while he pastored New Salem, Isbel Chapel, New Prospect, Sweet Gum, Omen, Hopewell, Murvaul and Mt. Bethel churches. White Oak Baptist Church in White Oak, Tx called him as full-time pastor in 1948. Lowell Street Baptist Church in Texarkana, AR called him to be their first pastor in 1955. He pastored there thirty years., To him, education was a means to better achieve his potential for serving God. Upon graduation from Laneville ISD in 1932, he began attending Jacksonville College. With enough credits, he was granted a teaching certificate and taught in Jumbo, Sulphur Springs, and Mt. Enterprise. While at White Oak, he attended East Texas Baptist and Stephen F. Austin State Colleges he received a BS degree from SFA in 1949. He attended and taught at Texas Baptist Institute and received a doctor of divinity degree from TBI., In June, 1955, messengers of the American Baptist Association elected O.H. Editor-in-chief of publications and re-elected him annually for thirty years. He promoted the ABA world-wide. Despite strong opposition from close family members, he was a leader in the development of Bogg Springs Baptist Encampment., He and Alice retired in 1985 to Laneville, where they owned a tree farm. He was named Texas Tree Farmer of the Year in 1984. Soon after retirement, he injured his neck. It left him partially paralyzed. With the aid of a cane, he continued to preach, teach Sunday school, write and lecture. His stamina and determination to serve God were an encouragement to all who knew him., Oran Heaton Griffith died peacefully January 28, 2004. His wife of 56 years, Alice, had died on November 23, 1990. He had served God faithfully and greatly impacted Baptists in Texas and the ABA it was evident that he loved God, church and family. Just down the hill from his and Alice's graves is their cherished tree farm., Plaque sponsored by Smyrna Baptist Church - Mt Enterprise, Texas