Rev. Edwin Runyon

He was the son of the late Rev. S.I. and Myrtle (Burkhead) Runyon and was born July 1, 1923, at Pollard. He was married to Betty Hamilton on March 16, 1947.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Edwin Runyon.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, of Poplar Bluff; two sons, Carl Runyon and wife Darlene of Owensboro, Ky., and Bob Runyon and wife Sue of Hartsburg, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Dina Runyon of Evansville, Ind.; five grandchildren, Dustin and wife Victoria, Kristen, Danielle, John and Toby Runyon; two brothers, Gerald Runyon of Pollard and Kenneth Runyon of Swanwick, Ill., and three sisters, Julia Pittman, Marie Hillyer and Jean Scheffler, all of Piggott.

Rev. Runyon served in the Army Air Force during World War II and participated in 25 missions over Germany as a tailgunner on a B-17 bomber.

He was ordained as a minister in 1941.

He graduated from Oakland City College in Indiana in 1948 and received a Master's degree from the University of Arkansas in 1949. He also was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Oakland City University.

After receiving his degree from U of A, he accepted the position of assistant editor of the General Baptist Messenger based in Poplar Bluff. He later served as editor from 1957 to 1975 and pastored local churches.

He served the General Baptist Association as clerk from 1975 to 1991 and was honored by being named Clerk Emeritus of the association by resolution in 1992. In attending over 60 sessions of that body, he served on numerous boards and committees.

He wrote and published many Bible study books and co-authored a major history of the denomination. He also was named by his peers to be among four persons "having the most impact on General Baptists during the past half-century."

Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 14, at the South Poplar Bluff General Baptist Church, where he was a member and Sunday school teacher. Officiating were Reverands Keith Luke, Wayne Foust and Leland Duncan.

Burial was in the Ash Hill Cemetery under the direction of White-Sanders Funeral Home of Fisk.