Veterans Day: Man Receives Medals 56 Years Later

The Douglas County Sentinel article from July 4, 2001, that appears with this post (below) discusses FBCLS member Roy Webb. You can click on the article to get a closer view, however the text has been reproduced below:

Almost 55 years after he was discharged from the Army, a Douglas County resident has finally received the medals he received during and after WWII.

Thomas Roy Webb, 74, of Lithia Springs, served as a combat medic at the end of WW II and spent a year with the occupation forces in Japan. His military service includes four years in the Naval Air Reserve and three years in the Georgia Air National Guard.

A mix-up in his military records led the Army to believe Webb was not due any medals. According to Webb, recent efforts by Congressman Bob Barr, the American Legion, and the VFW led the government to finally get around to sending him the medals he justly deserved.

On Monday, a package arrived at Webb’s home containing the four medals. Included were the Army Good Conduct , Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Victory World War II, and Army of Occupation medals.

“I had a great surprise awaiting me when I went to my mailbox on July 2,” Webb said. “I had never received any of my service medals from WW II. I had given up hope of ever getting them.”

Webb, a graduate of Douglas County High School was drafted at the age of 18 on December 21, 1944. He was eventually assigned to the 98th Infantry Division, 323rd Engineering Brigade and on July 4, 1945 reached Hawaii.

Following the Japanese surrender, the division was sent to Japan where they landed, ready for combat, on September 27, 1945.

“It was rough. There was a typhoon in the bay,” Webb said. “We had live ammo. If they had started to shoot, we were prepared to meet it.

After spending a year as part of the occupational forces in Japan, Webb was transferred back to the United States and was discharged in October, 1946 as a Technician, Four Grade. He then had a 30-year career with International Harvester.

Webb and his wife Geraldine, live in Lithia Springs. He is a member of the First Baptist Church, Lithia Springs. They have three children, Diane, Randy, and Steven.

Webb said at first, he did not realize what was in the package he received in the mail. “When I opened the package, there were four boxes,” he said. “Then I took time to read what it said…Then I knew what I had—my service medals.”

“After carefully looking at them, I was shedding tears. This will be the best Fourth of July of my life.”

If you would like to see more posts regarding the veterans at FBCLS follow the link
here for a complete listing.

Wild Game Dinner: 2008

The Wild Game Dinner, an annual event for FBCLS was held September 18th with Truett Cathy as guest speaker.

Click on the slideshow to see the images seperately. You will be taken to another web page...then click on "view images" in blue.

Second Anniversary

A photocopy of the article detailed below is all that has been located, so far, regarding the second anniversary of the church. It is marked 1948 and it is not indicated if the article was published in the Sentinel or another local paper: The copy isn't in the best shape, but it says:

The Lithia Springs First Baptist Church will observe the second anniversary of its constitution on Sunday with an all-day service. Rev. J.A. Patterson, pastor, announced this week. Dr. L. Smith of the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia will be the guest speaker for the afternoon service.

Constituted April 7, 1946 with 13 members the church has grown to a membership of 154. Meeting first in the Lithia Springs school the church now holds services in the basement of the proposed church plant. The basement unit was completed at a cost of $21,000.

The day's program will include the regular order of service in the morning with a basket lunch being served at the noon hour. The afternoon program will feature songs by the Park Avenue Quartet and the Grant Park Quartet, readings by Sara Maud Chandler and Joyce Patterson, and the address by Dr. Smith.

The church extends a cordial invitation to those in the community.

Stewardship Courses: 1953

This article appeared in the Austell Enterprise on October 22, 1953:

A Stewardship Study Course for the Lithia Springs Baptist is announced by the church Training Union.

All age groups are included. The adult book, "Found Faithful" will be taught by Rev. James T. Manley, of the First Baptist Church of Chattahoochee. The young peoples book, "Good Stewards," will be taught by Rev. Howard Gordon, pastor of Crestview Church, Marietta. Rev. Howard McDowell, associate pastor and music director of Fair Oaks Baptist will teach the Intermediates "Partners With God."

The Juniors will be taught by Mrs. James T. Manley. Their book is "Talking Penny." The Primaries will study "Bonny Baptist and the Sunbeams," this will be taught by Mrs. L.T. Chandler, member of the local church.

The nursery will be open each evening.

Revival Time: 1953

This article appeared in the Douglas Sentinel on Aug. 1, 1953:

A series of revival services will begin at the Lithia Springs Baptist Church next Sunday morning, August 2. The meeting will continue through August 14, with the pastor, Rev. Marion H. Beaver, bringing the messages.

Only evening services will be held on the week days. The song services will begin at 7:30 o’clock with the preaching service scheduled for 8 o’clock.

Raymond Berry, action choir director of the First Baptist Church in Marietta, will direct the the music for the series of meetings. Mr. Berry was formerly connected with the choir work for many years at the Jackson Hill Church, in Atlanta.

Wild Game Dinner: October, 2008

The article pictured above appeared in the Wednesday, September 10, 2008 issue of The Douglas Neighbor.

You can click on the image for a larger view.

The article states:

In the past, First Baptist Church, Lithia Springs Men's Ministry has had little trouble in pulling in big names like former Atlanta Braves first baseman Sid Bream to serve as special guest speaker for its annual wild game dinner.

This year, with Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy, the September 18th dinner might have its biggest name yet.

Member and organizer [David] Cooper said Cathy is a perfect speaker for his lifestyle and the purpose of the group.

"I can't think of anyone else who represents his company and his Biblical principles as well as Mr. Cathy," he said. "As a businessman myself I cannot think of anyone else I would rather pattern my company or business practices after."

The event, Cooper said, usually draws 500 to 600 guests and expects a similar number or greater this year.

The festivities begin, Cooper, said with displays of different sportsmen and taxidermists in the area and the Douglas County Fire Department will offer free blood pressure screenings.

Musical entertainment, he said, will be provided by the Cross Ties Band who perform bluegrass, gospel and other forms of traditional American music.

After dinner, Cooper said, the guests will move into the sanctuary for Cathy's message.

The dinner itself, Cooper said, will offer a variety of different meats.

"Every year we try to shake things up and this year is no different," he said. "The menu will consist of wild hog, buffalo, elk, and turkey, baked potato, slaw, and tea. I just don't know where you can get all of this for $10."

Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (770) 948-2126 or coming to by the church. Tickets are on sale Monday through Thursday and at the 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services.

The Passing of Mrs. Jewel Patterson

On Sunday, October 12, 2008, members of FBC, Lithia Springs were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Jewel R. Patterson. She was the wife of Pastor Arnold Patterson, the first minister of the church. Her funeral was at the church on Wednesday, Octobr 15, 2008.

Dr. Sam Jones, Mrs. Patterson’s grandson opened the service by remarking that it was appropriate her homegoing was on a Sunday. Mrs. Patterson’s son, Rev. Max Patterson refererenced Proverbs 31: 10-31 emphasizing Her children arise and call her blessed…., and Dorrie Jones, a granddaughter provided recollections from a grandchild’s vantage point. She included memories of the rather large Sunday dinners at her grandparent’s home and how Mrs. Patterson would always make the comment, “Let’s just throw a sheet over it. Someone might be hungry later.” Dorrie ended her comments with the observation that family and friends will live with Mrs. Patterson’s memory, but be inspired by her legacy.

Jerry Johnson, a member of FBC, Lithia Springs recalled the first time he met Mrs. Patterson during a night visitation. Mrs. Patterson suggested to him that church might actually be the best place to meet. Jerry commented that Mrs. Patterson was the epitome of a lady and was always dressed just so.

Rev. Mike Sinyard, education minister at FBC, Lithia Springs remembered he was five when Rev. Patterson and his wife were called away to another church, but made sure he sat in on the classes she taught twenty-four years later at the church. Rev. Sinyard called Mrs. Patterson a master teacher.

Rev. Marion Beaver, minister to seniors at FBC, Lithia Springs remembered one particular Women’s Day event at Olive Springs where he was the pastor at the time. Rev. Beaver asked Mrs. Patterson to speak at the event and stated it was obvious to him she spoke under the guidance of God and could interpret scripture with finese and translated it to our lives with ease. Rev. Beaver went on to say that if God indicated the ordination of women he would have been the first to lay hands on Mrs. Patterson.

Dr. Bob Whitmire, a former pastor of FBC, Lithia Springs stated Mrs. Patterson made a difference and was faithful to the end having given her life to the Lord. Dr. Whitmire went on to state Mrs. Patterson did have her challenges…..one being the death of Rev. Patterson. Dr. Whitmire remembered he was also challenged by the death of Rev. Patterson in that he was a young preacher at the time and needed Rev. Patterson’s counsel. He was grateful the Lord left him Mrs. Patterson.

Mrs. Betty Robertson and Dr. Dan DeFoor both performed solos and the entire congregation sang Amazing Grace.