Floyd Evans Hartzog

Floyd Evans Hartzog went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, June 26, 2023. First born on February 27, 1930, in Newton, Alabama, his second birth came at the age of 25 in the First Baptist Church of Geneva, Alabama, as a Christian believer. Having graduated from Troy High School in 1948, he attended Troy State Teachers College and earned a BS degree in 1951. He taught school as a band director for the next nine years; first at Geneva High School and then at Greensboro High School in Florida. He and his wife, Betty Barber Hartzog, were married on November 24, 1950. They have four children and spouses: Ronald Richard (Sarah), Rebecca Sue Hays (John), David Evans (Pamela), and William Michael who passed away at the age of 16 in Dothan, Alabama. They have five grandchildren and spouses: Jeremy (Kimberly), Bryan (Kelda), Kelli Duke (Ron), Brandon (Kim), and Rachel Hartzog-Johnson (Mike); seven great-grandchildren: Dale, Khyron Duke, Ethan, Kalleigh, Sadie, Ella, and Asa. Blessed to see their children to the fourth generation! One brother, Jack Hartzog (Brenda). Called to the Gospel Ministry in 1960, he attended and graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1962 with 1962 with a MCM degree in music. He was called to serve Tylertown Baptist Church in Mississippi while still a student at NOBTS and served there for three years. Next he was called to serve Calvary Baptist Church of Dothan, Alabama for four years in Music, Education and Youth Director, and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry there on December 5, 1965. Next he served the First Baptist Church of Selma, Alabama as Minister of Education for five years. A second call came from Calvary Baptist in Dothan to serve them as Minister of Education, this time for eight years and he served the Colombia Assn. as Church Training Director. During this period he assisted the S.B.C. Church Training Division in developing a growth system called “Build Up.” In 1981 the Dalraida Baptist Church of Montgomery called him to serve as Minister of Education for eight years, also serving the Association with Church Training. In 1989, the Good Hope Baptist Church of Eclectic, Alabama, called Evans as pastor, and he served them until retirement in 1995. Evans and Betty returned to Montgomery and he served as a Sunday School teacher of adults in two churches over the next 20 years until a health problem necessitated a complete retirement. They have been married for 72 years. During his years of ministry he was a teacher in the Howard College Extension Division (of Samford University) in the Columbia Association from 1977~1980; an Alabama State Convention approved adult teacher/counselor for many years; and he served as Music-Education President for Alabama in 1973. They are presently members of the Tillmans Corner Baptist Church. He has authored numerous unpublished documents, graphics, books, sermon outlines, and treatises on various subjects, both biblically based and fictional. Evans has often said, “I have experienced just about everything that is to be done in church work except two things: I have not been a deacon (although I have been asked to serve), and I have never been a W.M.U. Director!” A graveside service will be held Friday, June 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Memory Hills Cemetery in Dothan, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern Baptist Convention International Missions Board at www.imb.org/generosity. For Betty at my death: A faithful wife is she, No other one could there be. A life of joy in every breath, Can now reward her with a rest. Three-score and 12 of years together, Cannot match our hope of heaven; With heart-aches, sins, and regrets, We part with the knowledge of this forgiven. F.E.H (10/11/2017) A PUFF OF WIND! Four score plus have been my days; Yet, brief they seem to have been. We use our days as if forever; Tho’ compared to eternity They are but a puff of wind. In heaven a thousand years are as a day; Yet, on earth we struggle along the way. Our journey is planned on time defined, Here today and gone tomorrow; They are but a puff of wind and sorrow. There is hope for a greater service; To a Master who promises something better.

Tributes

Floyd Evans Hartzog

February 27, 1930 - June 26, 2023