(MURFREESBORO) Murfreesboro lost a longtime community leader with the passing of Reverend Richard Gordon. He touched many lives as pastor of First Baptist Church on East Castle Street for 43-years.

He became pastor of the local congregation in 1962, and was the leader who encouraged the building of the new structure.

Rev. James M. McCarroll, Jr., current pastor, said, "Pastor Gordon in his sermons prepared the congregation for the transition. He admonished the congregation to enter a season of consecrated prayer and to seek God's will in determining the next leader."

Gordon served with the Stones River District Association and the National Baptist Convention. He was also on various board and committees including the Rutherford County Guidance Center, Rutherford County Heart Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Murfreesboro Ministerial Alliance.

On December 31, 2005 after seeing the vision become reality, Pastor Gordon announced to the membership he would be retiring after 43 years of spiritual leadership at First Baptist Church.

Funeral Services

Pastor Gordon will lie-in state at First Baptist Church, 738 East Castle Street, from 10:00AM to noon this coming Saturday (12/29/2018). The visitation with the family is noon until 1:00PM with the funeral at 1:00PM and burial in the Evergreen Cemetery. Reverend James M. McCarroll, Jr. will officiate the services.

Reverend Gordon passed away last Sunday (12/23/2018).

He is survived by his daughter Thaya (Ed) Morant; son, Adrian (Carolyn Smiley; 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Rev. Gordon was preceded in death by his wife Amanda Evelyn Gordon; parents James Richard and Virginia Willis Gordon; and brothers James and George Gordon.

The New Generation Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.