| 1. |  Walllie Amos Criswell was born in 1909; died in 2002. Notes:
The Rev. W.A. Criswell passed away from life into death at the community out in the Panhandle. Criswell had always wanted to be a Pastor of some church ever
since he was a little boy. Rev. Criswell was converted at an early age and when
he got out of high school, he attended Baylor in Waco. He also went to the Fort
Worth Seminary. Pecan Grove Baptist was about the first church he preached when
going to Baylor in Waco. He also had the Mound Baptist Church part time.Bro.
Criswell preached at Pecan Grove Church which was called a quarter time church
back in those days. At the time W.A. did not have a car and had to ride with
other people to get to Pecan Grove near Gatesville.Times were hard back then and
not many had money. Bro. Criswell was paid $10.00 every Sunday he preached.
Pecan Grove only had a tabernacle to have Sunday service in and old wood
bleachers to sit on and an alter made out of rock. J.T. Davidson who was living
at the time said people came in their wagons, buggies and on horse back to hear
Criswell preach. The revival at Pecan Grove was a week or so and many camped out
by the tabernacle on the Coryall Creek and had a service every morning and night
and did their cooking over a camp fire. When the weather was cold or bad, the
members of the church had service in the Pecan Grove School building.Rev.
Criswell baptized many people in the Coryall Creek. A few years later, the
members of Pecan Grove gave what they had in money and helped build a new church
on the banks of the Coryall Creek. The work was done by the church members. Bro.
Criswell helped also and where the church stands today. Pecan Grove Church also
got Rev. Criswell a car so he would have a way to come to church. The church has
been remodeled since those days. It still has a church bell on the top of the
church like Criswell wanted.Rev. Criswell is survived by his wife Betty and
daughter Mable Ann and grandsons Cris Criswell and Paul Daniel Jackson. He also
was the president of the Southern Baptist Convention for 2 terms. His funeral
service was at the First Baptist Church in Dallas where he preached for 50 yrs. PROVIDED BY WICHITAFALLS #47544561.
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(Houston Chronicle (TX) - Sunday, January 13, 2002)
DR. W.A. CRISWELL went home to be with the Lord Thursday, January 10th at 4:40
a.m. The celebration of his home-going brings to the multitudes around the world
memories and reflections of a great pulpiteer, leader, pastor and friend.
He is survived by his wife and helpmate, Betty, of 66 years, his daughter,
Mable Ann, 2 grandsons and their wives, Cris Criswell and Rachel, Paul Jackson
and Krestense, and 5 great grandchildren.
It was October 6, 1944, that Dr. Criswell preached his first sermon in the
world-famous pulpit as pastor of the First Baptist Church. The world renowned
Dr. George W. Truett preceded him as pastor from 1897-1944. No one ever dreamed
that Dr. Truett's longevity as pastor could be surpassed until they met this
young man, full of boundless energy with his eyes on the needs of his flock and
the lost around the world. The thirty-four year old pastor was bewildered that
God's providence should lead him to the pastorate of this great church and
congregation. In his sermon on that first Sunday, W.A. Criswell revealed his
dreams for the church. Serving as pastor of First Baptist Church for over fifty
years and Pastor Emeritus for the past seven, God has used His servant mightily.
His leadership was sought by Presidents and they came to hear him preach. His
preaching brought to fruition what his dreams were for the church. The pulpit
was the center of his ministry. One of his greatest achievements was preaching
through the Bible over seventeen years. He began to chart a course toward
creation of a family-centered, multi-faceted program that would appeal to every
age and every family. Adequate facilities were a priority for age-group Bible
study, to recreational facilities, to adequate parking. The church grew, and
from his vision, blessed and empowered by the Lord, came a ministry to all
people not yet seen among other churches. This included providing week-day care
for pre-school children, which eventually led to the establishing of the First
Baptist Academy, and in 1971, the dedication of Criswell Bible Institute, which
was the beginning of what is now The Criswell College, a fully-accredited Bible
College for young men preparing for the ministry. Dr. Criswell served as
president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1968-1970. He authored over 50
books. His influence went far beyond his church with opportunities to preach to
thousands around the world. He was a popular speaker at conventions, camps,
revivals and the mission field. Because of his love for missions, the church
program included 31 missions in the City of Dallas. In addition to the missions,
one of the greatest accomplishments of the church was the fulfilled dream of the
purchase and establishment of the Dallas Life Foundation which will minister to
the needy until eternity. A dream dear to his heart was fulfilled when KCBI
became a reality in 1976, and today ministers to literally thousands of people
by radio 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dr. Criswell's dream was literally
decades ahead of other churches and helped build the mightiest church of his
generation. There was never a congregation that loved their pastor more than the
people of the First Baptist Church. His favorite verse of the Bible served as a
beacon for his entire ministry. The Grass Withereth, The flower fadeth: but the
Word of our God shall Stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8 He once said if he could write
his epitaph he would like it to be, "Here lie the mortal remains of W.A.
Criswell, who sought and found the Shepherd's heart - who loved his people and
sought to be a good and godly pastor." And all the people said, "Amen." Dr.
Criswell will lie in state on Monday, January 14th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
in the Rotunda of The Criswell College, and on Tuesday, January 15th in the
First Baptist Church sanctuary from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The funeral services
will be in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church Wednesday, January 16th at High
Noon. Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church of Dallas, 1707 San
Jacinto at Ervay, Dallas, Texas 75201 or The W.A. Criswell Foundation, 4010
Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75246. Arrangements are being made for adequate
seating and visibility of the service for everyone.Services will be under the
personal direction of Kenneth Howe, Lebanon, Missouri in cooperation with
Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 702 8th Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas.
Entombment to follow at Hillcrest Mausoleum and Memorial Park. Thompson's
Harveson & Cole Funeral Home 702 Eighth Ave. PROVIDED BY WICHITAFALLS 47544561#.
Links and the above added by Maredia Haddock.
Family/Spouse: Betty Marie Harris. Betty was born on 25 Mar 1913 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky; died on 2 Aug 2006 in Dallas, Dallas County. Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 2. Mabel Anne Criswell
 was born on 27 Jun 1939 in Chickaasha, Grady County, Oklahoma; died on 20 Jul 2002 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.
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1909 - 2002 (93 years)
