Dr. Robert Van Deventer

Dr. Van Deventer Called by Death
Former Pastor of First Baptist Church and One of Leading Ministers in State Died Tuesday.
His host of friends in Butts county were grieved to learn of the death of Dr. Robert Van Deventer, former pastor of the First Baptist church for sixteen years, which occurred at his home in Savannah Tuesday night. Death followed a short illness.
Funeral services, were held in Savannah Wednesday night a t 8:30 o'clock from the Bull Street Baptist church with all Baptist ministers in Savanah taking part. The body lay in state at the Bull Street Baptist church for an hour preceding the funeral.
The body was sent Thursday to Edenton, N. C. for interment beside his wife, Mrs. Callie Woodward Van Deventer.
Dr. Van Deventer was born in Virginia, August 6, 1857, and a t the age of 11 years joined the Baptist church. He was licensed to preach at the age of 17 and for more than fifty years had been a minister, filling pastorates in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. He was formerly pastor of the old Duffy Street Baptist in Savannah, coming from there to Jackson where he served for 16 years. Later he preached at Pembroke, a few miles from Savannah.
As a minister Dr. Van Deventer was constructive and helpful and many new churches were built at the churches he served. The present handsome church edifice in Jackson was built during the pastorate of Dr. V a n Deventer.
Dr. Van Deventer was widely beloved by the people of Jackson and Butts county. He was formerly in charge of the Boy Scout troop in Jackson and did splendid service in training the young men of the community. He was intensely loyal to the country and to the allied nations and during the World War rendered outstanding service as chairman of the Red Cross.
He was a leader in the affairs of the Kimbell Association. Dr. Van Deventer was always keenly concerned about young people and had friends among all classes and denominations.
After rendering the local Baptist church faithful and constructive service for a long period, Dr. Van Deventer resigned and devoted his time to literary pursuits, still making Jackson his home. Later he removed to Savannah but made occasional visits here and was always most cordially welcomed.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Mattie Wren, of Hampton, Va., and by several nieces and nephews.

(Jackson Progress-Argus - 22 June 1934)

Submitted by V. S. Harrison