Rev. Dr. Norman Ray Waldrip

After more than 65 years of delivering sermons, performing weddings and conducting funerals, a great voice for the teachings of Jesus was silenced early Sunday morning, April 24, 2016 when the Rev. Dr. Norman Ray Waldrip died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, GA. His most recent sermon was delivered on Easter Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church and the message of life, death and resurrection was a fitting topic for his final message.
In addition to the service to all his churches and their members he was an avid amateur photographer as evidenced by the many pictures gracing the walls and picture albums of his and Martha’s home. Not to be stymied by the advent of the digital age, he embraced the new technology with enthusiasm uncommon for one of his generation. Having a lifelong fascination with fire prevention sparked by his grandfather’s career as a City of Atlanta fireman, he served as a volunteer for the White Plains Volunteer Fire Department for 13 years. He also was a member of the Lions Club for over 30 years.  But most of all he was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was an only child and said when very young he wanted to fill a table with his children when he grew up and got married. With more than 25 family members at the holiday dinners, it seems he did go forth and multiply.

Dr. Waldrip was born in Atlanta, GA on October 22, 1931 to the late Roy Howard and Mildred Marie Norman Waldrip.  He grew up in Atlanta, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion Degree from Bob Jones University in Greenville SC; his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary.  On May 14 1955, he wed the former Martha Jo Williams and  they were married for 61 years.  He began his career in the ministry at Crystal Valley Baptist Church in Columbus GA. During his 60 year career, he served in numerous churches including White Plains Baptist Church, the First Baptist Church of Greensboro and Shiloh Baptist Church in Greene County.  Other churches served were: Friendship Baptist Church, Metcalf, GA; First Baptist Church, Hahira, GA; Memorial Baptist Church, Moultrie, GA; Raleigh White Baptist Church, Albany, GA; High Point Baptist Church, Covington GA; Mosleyville Baptist Church, Milledgeville, GA; Martin Baptist Church, Martin GA; Gibbs Memorial Baptist Church, Bostwick, GA. After retiring from the ministry, Dr. Waldrip noticed a forlorn abandoned church building on Penfield Road a few miles north of Greensboro. Feeling a call to reopen the doors of the closed church he did some research on its history and found it had first held services when George Washington was president.  The membership had dwindled to the point the church could no longer operate so the lights were turned out and the church went dark. Dr. Waldrip called together a group of interested folks and former members and on May 29, 2011, they voted to begin regular worship services again and Dr. Waldrip was called to be the pastor.  At the time of his death, he was still serving as their pastor and was an active and faithful member.

In addition to his wife, Martha Jo Waldrip, of Greensboro, GA, he is survived by his children,  Charles  Waldrip (Susan) of Charlotte, NC, Cathy Bofinger of Madison, GA, Carey Waldrip (Andrea) of Hoschton, GA, Carol Moss (Terry) of Marble, NC and Clay Waldrip (Kathy) of Chester, SC; fourteen grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a number of other relatives; and many friends.

A Celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 203 S. Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642 with Rev. Clay Waldrip, Rev. Mark Jones and Rev. Michael Hardy officiating. Interment will follow at Shiloh Baptist Church, 3400 Penfield Road, Greensboro, GA 30642. The family will receive friends Tuesday night at The First Baptist Church from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Shiloh Baptist Church, c/o Martha Nelms 1080 Quail Trail, Greensboro, GA 30642.  Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons and grand sons-in-law: Michael Bofinger, Benjamin Waldrip, Johnny Brenwalt, Daniel Moss, Phillip Moss, Levi Moss, Jacob Waldrip, Matthew Waldrip and John Lambird.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of local arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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