The news of Larry Padgett’s death is still sinking in with his family and his fellow
laborers in the Cullom Baptist Association.
“Larry was a true friend and pastor to the people,” said Rob
Evans, the association’s moderator and pastor of Macon Baptist Church. “He
genuinely enjoyed seeing the work of Christ being accomplished within each
church of the Cullom Association. What a shock! We as an association are doing
all that we can to move forward.”
Larry Dean Padgett, 69, died Aug. 20 at his home. He was the
director of missions (DOM) for Cullom Baptist Association. Evans said Padgett
was always looking for ways to support and encourage the local churches.
“Larry, greatly loved the Cullom Association, and wanted to
see it be all that it could be for the Kingdom of God,” Evans said. “Perhaps,
one of Larry’s paramount gifts was his ability to connect with people. It is
hard to replace friends like Larry Padgett. Perhaps, the one thing that I will
honestly miss about Larry is his contagious smile and laughter.”
The association is receiving help from Dougald McLaurin, Tar
River Baptist Association’s director of missions, as well as Milton A.
Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer at the Baptist State Convention of
North Carolina (BSC), and Lester Evans, BSC’s team leader for associational
partnerships.
Evans said these leaders are helping “formulate a mission
plan so that we can continue to be effective for Christ within the Cullom
Association area and its outer limits.”
Randy Godwin, director of missions for Mount Zion Baptist
Association and president of North Carolina Baptist Associational Missions
Conference, said Padgett will be missed. “Larry was one of those rare
individuals who uplifted your spirit by just being in his presence,” he said. “I
do not remember a time talking with Larry that he was not smiling and happy
just to be alive.”
He is survived by his wife, Sue Williams Padgett; children,
Lori Martin of Clinton, Veronica Izurieta of Cathedral City, Calif., Mary
Fisher of Dunn, Lorayne Lingat of Murrieta, Calif.; sons,
Guy Padgett of Clinton, Daryl Padgett of Dunn, Dean Padgett of Charleston,
S.C., Gregory Padgett of Wilmington; four sisters; 22 grandchildren; and nine
great-grandchildren.