The Reve. Richard D. Pass

Published 5:41 pm Monday, January 13, 2020

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Rev. Richard D. Pass of Andalusia went to be with the Lord Friday, January 10, 2020, at the age of 98, at his home surrounded by his family.

Praise services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, January 16, 2020, at the First Baptist Church of Andalusia with Dr. Kevin Wilburn, Rev. Chad Middlebrooks, and Rev. John Hunt officiating. Special music will be provided by Dwight Criggers, Travis Day and men from the First Baptist Church Choir. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to services. Interment will follow in the Andalusia Memorial Cemetery with U.S. Navy military honors. Serving as pallbearers will be the Mitchell Lynn, Eric Lynn, Justin Lynn, Ray O’Brien, Seal Caton, and Shannon Norris. The Baraca Sunday School Class at the First Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. Keahey Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Left to cherish his memory, two daughters, Barbara Lynn (Louis) of Andalusia, Deborah Norris (Karon) of Andalusia, Grandchildren, Louis Lynn Jr., David Lynn (Teresa), Mitchell Lynn (Lynda), Kristi Andrews O’Brien (Ray), Kimberly Andrews Caton (Seale), Chancey Norris Sayers (Dustin), Kade Norris, numerous great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Thomas Pass and Ida Adelia Allen Pass; his loving wife, Georgette Black Pass; a sister, Carrie Mae Lipscomb; a brother, Carlton Pass and two great-grandsons, Christopher Demond Lynn, Joshua Alan Lynn and a step-grandchild, Kameron Preston Norris.

Rev. Pass was married to the love of his life, Georgette Black Pass for 77 years; she preceded him in death in the year of 2015.  Rev. Pass graduated from Campground High School in Water Valley, Mississippi in 1939. Between graduation and entering the military, he worked in construction. In 1944, he entered the Navy and became an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class and honorably served during World War II. He was discharged in 1947. Upon leaving service, he farmed in Water Valley, Mississippi with his brother for approximately 7 years. Prior to surrendering to the ministry, he served as a Deacon and held various positions in his church. He surrendered to the call of God in 1952 to become an ordained pastor. He was ordained at Campground Baptist Church in Water Valley, Mississippi. He graduated from Clark College in 1956 and from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi with a Bachelor Degree in 1958. In 1961, he graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theology Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree. While in college, he pastored Conehatta Baptist Church in Conehatta, Mississippi and Pocahontas Baptist Church in Pocahontas, Mississippi. After completing seminary, he pastored Cranfield Baptist Church in Roxie, Mississippi and served as the Director of Missions in Adams and Union counties for 18 ½ years and Franklin Baptist Association for approximately 4 years.

Rev. Pass served over the Mississippi Baptist Association until 1983 when he retired. The Pass family moved to Andalusia in 1984, where he preached, supplied and served as Interim Pastor over several small churches in Covington County and surrounding counties until the age of 93. He continued to teach Sunday School at First Baptist Church until the age of 96.

Rev. Pass dedicated his life to the Lord and many souls were saved by his love of God. He witnessed to many during his lifetime, with his kind and gentle demeanor. He was loved by all who knew him.