Obituaries
While growing up in Athens, Stan participated in youth league baseball, earning the opportunity to play on teams winning three State Championships. After his playing days, Stan continued his involvement in youth baseball as a coach and volunteer. Later, Stan became an avid golfer and was a member of Jennings Mill Country Club.
Stan was a faithful member of Cornerstone Church in Athens, after transitioning from Grace Fellowship Church in Watkinsville. Stan was a teacher of the Gospel and taught a variety of weekly Bible study classes. He also served in the Athens Emmaus Community and the Mountain Top Emmaus Community in Hayesville, N.C. In addition, Stan traveled abroad to minister and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including trips throughout England, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. In his travels, Stan had the opportunity to teach other preachers and always remarked about how his students were so attentive and their faith in Christ was so incredible. These students believed in the Word of God like children – how they received it, believed it, and accepted the blessings, healings, and miracles of God. Stan hoped that the people of America could one day do the same and truly believe the depth of God’s love for each of us.
Stan is survived by his wife, Cheryl, his son, Stanley Robert “Rob” Durden, Jr (Holly) of Jacksonville, Fl.; his son-in-law Bruce Watson of Lilburn, Ga.; stepdaughter Tamela Denise Phillips (Kristopher) of Clarkesville, Tenn.; stepson James Payne (Lisa) of Mableton, Ga.; stepdaughter Angela Morris of Marietta, Ga; and stepson, Nathan English of Clayton, Ga. His surviving grandchildren are Jessica, Brayden, Parker, Elijah, Benjamin, Logan, Elianna, Chloe, Olivia, and Ila and Jillian. Stan was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Paige Watson. He loved all his children and grandchildren whether they were natural or stepchildren/grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. Edward F. Grant, MDiv ’70, aged 79, passed away peacefully at his home, Jan. 1, 2021. Although he attained the highest degree of education, he preferred to be called Pastor Ed, or simply “Ed”. Born just outside of Georgetown, Guyana, South America, Ed grew up on a coconut farm with his five sisters. As a kindhearted youth, his joy for reading and curiosity of world history drove him to excel in the classroom. Ed’s academic journey had only begun in Guyana, as he immigrated to the United States in his late 20s on an academic scholarship to Azusa Pacific College in California. He would go on to earn his bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude), the 1969 and 1970 Award for Outstanding Student of the Year in Philosophy, and the 1970 Award for Student of the Year. After achieving both Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees in 1973 from Asbury Theological Seminary, Ed earned his Doctorate of Ministry in 1986 from Andover Newton Theological School. His doctoral thesis, written on The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), was “the point of life is to be a blessing to one another.” Upon graduation Ed began what would become a distinguished 33-year career as a pastor for the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. Wherever he went during his career Ed was recognized as an upstanding member of the community who was beloved for attracting crowds of all colors, shapes, and sizes.Ed pastored churches in every state in New England, and was often the first African American minister to serve in several of the congregations he pastored. Parishioners were intrigued by his Caribbean accent, and inspired by his sermons and prayers. One of Ed’s common practices, was to begin Communion Service by singing Kum-Ba-Yah, inspiring the congregation in anticipation of this sacred event. Along with pastoral responsibilities, Ed initiated Bible Studies, assisted in supporting and working with youth, and initiated Youth Sunday, where the church’s youth would lead the worship service. Ed enjoyed participating in every part of church activity, and was always happily a part of the church dinners and celebrations.As a member of the New England Conference, Ed was involved in various committees, including the Africa Task Force, the Caribbean Ministers Fellowship, and co-coordinated the hosting of several African ministers to New England. Ed was ecumenical at heart, and enjoyed working with a diversity of clergy for holidays and community events. Ed was a proud U.S. citizen and humanitarian, who considered himself a “Citizen of the World”. He always had a respect for other cultures and was a champion of charitable and progressive policy throughout his lifetime.Ed’s childhood fascination with reading came full circle as, during his career and retirement, he authored four books, and was working on the fifth at the time of his passing.Consistent with the way he lived his life, his books were written in a manner that relayed wisdom and moral guidance to people of all cultures, religions, and walks of life.Ed was a devoted father who cheered for his son, Edwin, with pride, and supported his teammates whole-heartedly on and off the sports fields. He was a respected role model in the community. Ed was immensely proud of his son’s collegiate achievements, and was overjoyed upon becoming a grandfather to his grandson, Eddington.Ed was a kind and gentle man, intellectually gifted, but never pretentious or condescending. In most interactions, he focused the conversation on the person to whom he was speaking. Ed was a gifted listener. He counseled people, and appeared in court as a positive character witness for a teenager in his congregation who, as he said to the judge, who expressed his high respect for Rev. Grant, “was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” To many, Ed was more than a pastor. Ed was a friend.Edward was predeceased by his sisters, Jean, Velma, Urlean, and Merle.Ed is survived by his wife, Edwina; his son and family, Edwin, Haley, and grandson, Eddington; our beloved Patrick; sister, Irma; our beloved, Nadjia and family; niece, Penelope; nephew, James and family; extended family in Guyana, New York, England, and Canada; and dear friends from New England and around the world.
Reverend Matthew “Matt” J. Hearn, MDiv ’99, aged 47, of Pooler, Georgia and husband of Lori Ann Rawling Hearn, died Saturday morning, January 30, 2021 at his home with his wife of almost 23 years at his side. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, he was a son of Stephen Mark Hearn and Gail Cosby Westberg. Matt earned his undergraduate degree from Asbury University and his Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He was a former Youth Director at Wauchula United Methodist Church in Wauchula, Florida and later served as the Bible teacher at Calvary Christian School and as Youth Director at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia. Matt was a former Associate Pastor at White Bluff United Methodist Church in Savannah and was the Founding and Senior Pastor at Gateway Church. He was known for his quick wit, for always being direct, and his ability to make people smile. Matt will be remembered most for his love of telling people about Jesus and his love for his family and his friends. He enjoyed traveling, being competitive in sports, and the UGA Bulldogs. He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Joan Cosby and Marie Hearn, and his father-in-law, James Harvey Rawling. Survivors include his wife, Lori Ann Rawling Hearn; one daughter, Emma Caroline Hearn; one son, Jackson “Jack” Price Hearn; his mother, Gail Cosby Westberg; his father, Stephen Mark Hearn and his wife, Ginger; two sisters, Heather Kirkbride and her husband, Scott, and Courtney Hearn; three brothers, Rich Hearn and his wife, Melissa, Steve Hearn and his wife, Taryn, and J. D. Hearn; his mother-in-law, Janet Rawling; his sister-in-law, Tracey Kennedy and her husband, Mike, and nieces and nephews.
Michael Benjamin Mann, MA in Theological Studies ’90, aged 78, past away on February 14, 2021. Rev. Dr. Michael B. Mann is preceded in death by his father Clifford Mann, his mother Thelma Mann, his middle son Aaron Matthew Mann, his nephew Jason Mann, and his older brother John “Rusty” Partin. Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 56 years Julia (Judy) Kirkpatrick Mann; sons Michael Benjamin Mann II (Holly) and Brian Christopher Mann (Jennifer); grandchildren Peyton Mann, Erin Mann, Zeke Curvin, Zeb Curvin, and Zalie Curvin; brother Patrick Mann and his wife Lee Ann Mann; sister-in-law Barbara Partin; and nephews John Mann and Jacob Mann. Rev. Dr. Mann was a 1961 graduate of Bay High School, Panama City, Florida. A lifetime learner, he was the recipient of numerous degrees including a Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida, a Master of Theology from the Asbury Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from the Louisville Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from the Columbia Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. Mann bravely volunteered and served on active duty in the US Army from 1967 to 1969 as a military intelligence officer. He served a combat tour of duty in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Staff Service Honor Medal. Rev. Dr. Mann navigated several professions during his work life. From the early 1970s until 1985, he practiced law in Panama City, Florida. Following the death of his son Aaron, he was called to ministry. Although raised Methodist, Rev. Dr. Mann served many congregations as a Presbyterian Church U.S.A. minister. He served the Lothair Community Presbyterian Church (Hazard, KY), Vicco Presbyterian Church (Vicco, KY), Trinity Presbyterian Church (Gadsden, AL), and the John Calvin Presbyterian Church (Metairie, LA). He served as the Interim Executive for the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery (Wheeling, WV), then as the Interim General Presbyter for the Presbytery of South Louisiana (Baton Rouge, LA). He then served the Stockton Presbyterian Church (Stockton, AL) and Cottage Hill Church (Stockton, AL). He served as pastor until his retirement in 2010. Rev. Dr. Mann loved the Lord and his wife Judy. He was a loving father, counselor, and an ambitious storyteller with a great imagination. He was an extremely proud father and grandfather. He cherished his sons and grandchildren. He supported everything Florida State University (FSU) and enjoyed coaching youth baseball, fishing, golfing, reading, and studying his Bible. Dr. Mann never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with any and everyone.
Ed Grant was one of the brilliant students we studied with at Asbury. He was my dormmate. A true scholar, he never exhibited his knowledge boastfully, but humbly lived as an equal with us lesser mortals.