The Rev. Gary Javens died on Tuesday, June 13. Javens pastored Clifton Park Baptist Church for 31 years until 2005, and after
retirement served as interim pastor for two years at Forest Heights Baptist Church. He also pastored Balligomingo Baptist Church, in West Conshohocken, PA for six years while attending Eastern Baptist College and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He was born Oct. 23, 1940, in Beaver Falls, PA, and married his high school sweetheart, Grace Evelyn (Cox). The couple enjoyed 57 years of marriage.
The Rev. Javens worked in a steel mill at Babcok & Wilcox Co. for seven years and was 27 years old when God called him to the Gospel ministry. He and Grace moved their family to West Conshohocken, Pa., where he pastored Balligomingo Baptist Church for six years while attending Eastern Baptist College and Eastern Baptist Seminary.
He enjoyed outdoor sports as well as music, gardening, games, nature, and working crossword puzzles. Those who knew him described him as joyful, and quick to share with others that Jesus was the reason for his joy.
Gary Javens is survived by Grace, his two daughters and sons-in-laws, Melanie and Calvin Matthews, and Cheryl and Tom Steinhice. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, including CJ Matthews, pastor of Bethany Church, Columbia, and 4 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on June 21 at Clifton Park Baptist Church, Silver Spring, and the interment will be in Beaver Falls, Pa., on June 24. For more information see http://www.collinsfuneralhome.com/javens-gary-k-rev.
Iris Alberts
Iris Alberts
Iris Alberts, the wife of Pastor Doug Alberts, died on June 15 in her home after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Doug and Iris Alberts were married for over 59 years. She was a ministry partner to Doug Alberts, pastor of senior adults at Glen Burnie Baptist Church and former pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Sunset Beach, Pasadena.
Iris organized meals for Wednesday nights at the Grace Baptist Church and then at Glen Burnie Baptist.
Valerie Earhart, a friend who ministered with Doug and Iris over the years said, “She had a fierce heart for God, and a fierce love for her family.” Earhart said when the couple was heartbroken after their 10-year-old son died, Iris began attending Glen Burnie Baptist Church. “It was there that she was saved and then eventually Doug began attending. He accepted Christ in his 40’s. They did ministry together,” Earhart said.
Iris also loved playing bridge, travelling, gardening, antiquing, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Iris is preceded in death by her son Douglas Mark Alberts, and her brother Joseph Alan DeBusk. In addition to Doug, she is survived by her two loving daughters, Pam Leary, of Pasadena, and Stacy Blanton, of Houston, TX; her brother Kenneth Ray DeBusk, of Florida; seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Family and friends may visit at the Gregory J. Gonce Funeral Home, PA, 169 Riviera Drive, Pasadena, on Friday, June 23, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 1 until 2 PM at Grace Baptist Church, 17 Somerset Rd, in Sunset Beach, where her funeral service will begin at 2 PM. She will be buried in Baltimore National Cemetery on Monday at 11 AM.