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Timothy Dane Cearley, age 68, of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.

Timothy was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina, to Robert and Bonnie Cearley of Hickory, North Carolina. Mr. Cearley was preceded in death by his grandparents, and beloved aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Cushing Cearley; his children, Matt, Joy, and Sarah Cearley; his parents, Robert and Bonnie Cearley; his siblings, Tom (Carol) Cearley- his identical twin brother and Beth (Tom) Hill; his nieces and nephews, Sharon (Bob) Easton, Amanda Hill, Stephen (Katy) Hill, Ashley (Matt) Ward, Wesley (Marcie) Cearley, Josh Webb, Hannah (Kyle) Rice, Luke (Katie) Webb as well as great nieces and a great nephew.

Tim was part of the International Mission Board for 35 years rising in leadership responsibility from church planting to strategic planning with oversight of 200 missionaries until his final assignment as Strategy Leader for Sub-Saharan Africa overseeing approximately 600 missionaries and 49 countries. After retirement, he was an Uber driver and worked at the Y. Later, he was asked to direct the Community Ministries of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, with responsibility for the Caring Center, Prison Ministry, ESL programs, tutoring, Nehemiah Center, and Master’s Garden. Tim enjoyed participating in activities of First Baptist of Montgomery, the Tuesday Men’s Prayer Group at Eastmont, and the Friday men’s group at First Baptist.

Tim loved God and loved people. Everyone who knew him for even a short time recognized his love of laughter, work ethic, and humble, servant-hearted spirit. His desire to share God’s love with the people of Africa led him (and his wife) to live in five African countries over a 33-year span spending time learning languages and culture wherever they went. He could speak Shona and Portuguese quite well often reading his Bible in French, Shona, or Portuguese. He was also able to greet people in at least five other languages and loved learning new idioms and cultural practices.

A visitation for Mr. Cearley will be held Friday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Andalusia. A brief family funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with services concluding with a burial at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery.

A family and friends visitation will occur at First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104, on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. A celebration of life memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. A live stream of this service will be available through the church’s website at www.montgomeryfbc.org.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Timothy’s memory may be made to the IMB Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, c/o 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230 or IMB.org; or FBC Montgomery, community ministries, the MK Spiritual Development Endowment, or MK Educational Endowment at WMU Foundation at wmufoundation.com.