Laura Sue Barnes
By Sharon Mager
COLUMBIA, Md.—The Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network remembers the following Baptist leaders who passed away in recent months.
Laura Sue Barnes
Laura Sue Barnes, wife of Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network former executive director Charles Barnes, died on May 25. She was 81.
Laura grew up in Mississippi and attended Mississippi College where she met Charles, whom she affectionately called “Barney.” The couple married and moved to Anne Arundel County, where they built and ministered at Severna Park Baptist Church.
She served in various areas in the church and enjoyed a career as an elementary school teacher. Laura enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, shopping and travel.
Rev. Barnes, their daughter, Sue Hannahs, and their son, David Barnes, and several grandchildren survive her.
The funeral was held on May 30 at Heritage Baptist Church in Annapolis.
Willie Carter
Rev. Willie J. Carter
Willie J. Carter, pastor of Kent Baptist Church, Landover, died on July 6. The Rev. Carter served as pastor of the church for 13 years. Prior to being called as pastor, Carter served as trustee, deacon and assistant pastor, overseeing the church’s drug and alcohol ministry.
Carter succeeded The Rev. Reynold Carr, who was called to be director of missions for the Prince George’s Baptist Association.
The Rev. Carter is survived by his wife Doris, his daughter Tonya Latney and four grandchildren.
Otis Doherty
Rev. Otis Doherty
The Rev. Otis Doherty died on June 16. Doherty served as pastor of Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, Del., for 24 years. He retired in 1988 as Pastor Emeritus.
Doherty was also a past president of the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. He served two terms, from 1993 to 1994.
In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, woodworking, snow and water skiing and piloting small planes.
Survivors include his wife: Evelyn; four sons: David L. Doherty of Elizabeth, Colo., Glen L. Doherty of Newark, Del., Bryan L. Doherty of Dallas, Texas, Wayne L. Doherty of North East, Md.; one sister: Alice White of Quitman, Miss.; 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Robert Moore
Robert Leland Moore gave of his life to see people throughout the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network come to know and serve Jesus. Moore ministered as pastor, director of missions and as a missionary. He died on April 18. He was 78. His wife, Gloria, and his daughters, Deborah M. Carrico and Sheri M. Cook, along with many grand children, great-grandchildren and other relatives survive him.
After receiving a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore, Moore, in obedience to God’s call to vocational ministry, attended Georgetown College, Ky., and then received his Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He pastored Elkridge Baptist Church and Greenridge Baptist Church and served as an associate pastor at Glen Burnie Baptist Church.
On a denominational level, Moore ministered as director of missions for the Howard Baptist Association (now the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association), and as director of the Prince George’s Baptist Association.
In addition, Moore served as President of the Baptist Family & Children’s Services (now Building Families for Children). He additionally ministered with the North American Mission Board in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Potomac Baptist Association Director of Missions Keith Corrick, said of Moore, “He was my spiritual father in ministry, mentor and constant encourager. There is no way I can measure the impact he had on my life and ministry. I know that is also true for countless others. In my opinion, Bob was one of the most respected and loved Pastors and denominational servants to ever serve in the BCMD.”
Thom Smith
Thom Smith
Thom Smith, son of the Reverend Thomas and Susan Smith of First Baptist Church of Hagerstown, Md., died July 9, 2015, after succumbing to injuries he sustained in a fire.
On June 22, Thom was asleep in the rear of his home in Farmont, W. Va., when the living room burst into flames. Miraculously, Thom was able to wake, and under his own power make his escape through the flames. After collapsing on his lawn, he was rescued by his local fire department and flown to a specialized burn center in Pittsburgh, where his family has maintained a constant vigil. He was left with deep 3rd degree burns over 90 percent of his body and severe smoke inhalation injuries.
Before the fire, Thom was a carpenter, operating a small business serving the local residential community and acting as a small contractor and handyman.
He has three young daughters: Veronica, 14, Charity, 6, and Ava, 4. He is brother to Tara Fritz, Tama Cress and Todd Smith. He has been very lucky to enjoy the spiritual support of his own church Chiristian Love Ministries, as well as his father’s church. (Adapted from his support page, http://www.gofundme.com/xrq4cxk.)