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 White 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 altar made out of rock. J.T. Davidson who was living at the time said people came in their wagons, buggies and on horseback to hear Criswell preach. The revival at Pecan Grove was a week or so and many camped out by the tabernacle on the Coryell 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 Coryell 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 Coryell 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 years (1944-1994).

PROVIDED BY WICHITA FALLS #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 WICHITA FALLS 47544561#.

Links and the above added by Maredia Haddock.