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Reverend Flanders Martin "F.M." Bays, Jr.
Flanders Martin "F.M." Bays, Jr. passed away on October 30, 2009. He was born March 18, 1921 and grew up on a family farm one mile west of Mace Springs, Virginia. He was a graduate of Hilton High School class of 1939. Early in life, F.M. was called into the ministry of the Lord and served as a missionary in Texas while attending Trinity University. He began his full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church in 1956. In 1968 Rev. Bays was honored as the Holston Conference Town and Country Pastor of the Year for his leadership role in the initiation and construction of the new Sinking Springs United Methodist Church in Bristol, TN. He served many churches before retiring in 1986. He cherished the many friendships made in his more than 35 years of service.
Rev. Bays was known for his bass singing voice, and was often requested to sing his signature song "Anchored in Love Devine". He often incorporated his love of guitar playing and singing into many of his church services.
Rev. Bays had a great memory for poems and bible scripture. He spoke fondly of his trips to the Holy Land where he was able to quote Paul's Sermon on Mars Hill and also measure the depth of Jacob's well.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Juanita Maddux Bays; parents, Flanders and Etta Kate Barker Bays; brothers, Howard, Norville, Colley, Oliver, Vernon, and Mervin; and sisters, Elsie Barker, Ota Faust, Edna Bellamy and Janelle Jayne.
His is survived by his son, David Bays; son and daughter-in-law, Les and Donna Bays; grandsons, Levi and Reese Bays; brothers, Harold and Donald Bays; and sisters, Nora Lee Hayter and JoAnne Starnes.
The family will receive friends from 4 - 6 pm on Sunday Nov. 1, 2009 at Scott County Funeral Home, 2060 US Highway 23N, Weber City.
A service will follow at 6 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Will Shewey and Rev. Jeff Tallent officiating.
A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Monday, November 2, 2009 at Holston View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Nat Baker, Shane Miller, Scott Woods, David Bays, Les Bays, Jack Hamilton, Reese Bays, Levi Bays, and Daryl Jayne. Honorary pallbearers will be retired United Methodist Ministers, Pete Bylerly, Erma Snodgrass and D'Lynn Lawson.
Memorials may be made to Hilton United Methodist Church (Building Fund), P.O. Box 10, Hilton, VA, 24251.
Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home is serving the Bays family.
Go Back Carter Trent Memorials:
From: Jess R. Shell jrshell@mindspring.com
Date: 11/25/2009
A Gentleman and Champion for the Lord...It was truly a Joy and Privilege to have crossed his path...
Ray & Cindy Shell
Macon, Georgia
From: David Pierson bigdaveonbass@yahoo.com
Date: 11/24/2009
Uncle F.M.,
I just found out you passed. I wish I had known sooner. I have many fond memories of you doing your Gomer Pyle impression and reciting lovely poetry and Bible verse. I know your reception into the Kingdom must have been grand. Say hello to all the folks for me. David and Les, condolences to you. Hope you both are doing well.
Love from my family in Georgia to you and yours,
David Pierson, son of Janice, grandson of Howard.
From: Gladys L. Campbell glcampbell@charter.net
Date: 11/06/2009
I first met and worked with Everend Bays when he was pastor at Valley Forge Church near Elizabethton,Tn. I had just left school teaching in Kingsport, Tn, to begin work as a lay profssional with the Methodist Church. His church was one of the several with which I worked in Carter County. They were always very receptive to my working with them, and very hospitable--especialy encouraing me to spend the night at the parsonage on winter nights so I wouldn't have to travel back to Roan Mountain, TN, where I lived. That was 1961-64. Then I saw him several years ago when I spoke to a UMW group at Bell's Chapel. May God bless all of you. Gladys Campbell
From: meb blazerchic96@yahoo.com
Date: 11/04/2009
Bays Family, Your daddy will be missed by all that knew him.I was fortunate enough to have gotten to also the man not just as a minister but also as a caring person and someone who loved to talk about his life and why he had become a minister and how important it was to treat people with kindness and love. I thank the family for giving me the time that we could share together.Some of my friends have asked about the Preacher who was singing at the funeral home when my mamma passed away. I tell them it was a member of God's earthly choir, now he is singing in heaven in that great bass voice. May God be with you. Mary
From: Penny Stewart pennycls@yahoo.com
Date: 11/02/2009
Rev. Bays was my pastor at Old Union United Methodist Church back in 1982. My husband was in a car accident at that time and I will never forget Rev.Bays coming to visit him at the hospital every day for 6 weeks plus. He was a good pastor and will be missed by many. My thoughts & prayers are with your family. Penny Luster Stewart
From: Ann Bays Sagarsee sagarsee1125@att.net
Date: 11/01/2009
What a Bays Reunion there must have been Friday evening! Oh, the precious memories! Ann Bays,daughter of Mervin & Vivian Bays
From: Dwight Williams dwitewilliams@hotmail.com
Date: 11/01/2009
Dear David and Les, We were very sorry to hear about your father's passing. He was a very unique andinteresting person, so knowledgeable in the Bible. HE AND juanita were great frieds with our mother, Dorothy Chapman. I remember Gena, Mellissia and myself at Juanita's last birthday party and at f.m.'s as well an then at their house several days bfore your mother passed away. They were very good people and very loyal friends. When the nottingham split and eveyone went to others churches, being able to see everyone became hard and we all lost touch. I told my last living Aunt about your father passing today and she said she remembered your mother and father's visit to boman-gray to see my mom when she was having treatments for leukemia...how nice they were to come all the long way and how much my mom loved each of them. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. We will certainly miss F.M. and remember many wonderful stories he told and hearing him sing. Sincerely, Dwight Williams, gena Kern, and Mellissia Lane & family
From: Ron Cooper RonCooper@tds.net
Date: 11/01/2009
I am very sorry to learn of Rev. Trent's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time and through the holidays.
From: Earl & Pauline Wills ewills@btes.tv
Date: 11/01/2009
Rev. F. M. Bays was our pastor at Paperville United Methodist Church for six years of his ministry. A kind and considerate man, worked hard for the good of his churches. Remained friends and came back to Paperville for several Homecomings, always welcomed with love.
An old time preacher, and bus driver will long be remembered.
From: Darrell, Shelia & Adam McMurray darrellmcmurray@yahoo.com
Date: 11/01/2009
David and Les,
We're very sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Ronald called me this afternoon. Sorry we won't be there but you're all in our thoughts and prayers. I'll always remember the fun we had with your dad. He has truly had a great impact on many people.
We love you all,
Darrell, Shelia & Adam
From: Jenny Jensen jensen1854@hotmail.com
Date: 11/01/2009
I am thinking of you all today.
From: Ziggie Bays zigbays@aol.com
Date: 11/01/2009
"Well Done Good and Faithful Servant".
Ziggie Bays son of Oliver and Pauline Bays.
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