Obituaries

in memory of

Rev. Dr. Ross E. Bailey

Degree

Th.M. '68

Resided

Sidney by the Sea, BC, Canada

Passed

May 30, 2025

Ross is survived by: His wife Carol Bailey (nee Ravenscroft) of 60 years; daughters Evelyn (Peter Langeman), and Pamela (Danny Eldridge); grandchildren Bailey (Evan Berlanti), Brynne (Josiah Nadon), Jennifer and Brody and sisters-in-law Barbara Ravenscroft and Virginia Ravenscroft.

Predeceased by his parents Walter Bailey and Lillian Ashby Bailey, sister Sandra Allen, brother-in-law John Ravenscroft and son-in-law Dave Semeniuk.

Ross was 86 years old. He was raised in Montreal and lived sea to sea in Canada after being ordained to the ministry of the Word and Sacraments by the United Church of Canada in 1963. Ross served people in Heart’s Content Pastoral Charge (1963-65) and St. Anthony (1965-67) in Newfoundland and Labrador, Toronto (1968-71), Woodstock Ontario (1971-75), Hamilton Bermuda (1976-79), Calgary Alberta (1979-86) and Victoria British Columbia. Ross’ theodyssey (a wandering with God) was strongly influenced by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship during his student days at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University). He was appointed as the Director of IVCF in Alberta 1983-86. Churches in Victoria included Cadboro Bay UC (1986-89), Faith Congregational Church (1989-92) and Freedom in Christ Fellowship (1992-99). There were 9 trips to Russia during the 1990’s to work with educators as part of the International School Project. Ross was credentialed by the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada in 1989. He completed his doctoral studies at Carey College at University of British Columbia in 1999. He joined the Faculty of Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto (2000-2008) as the Director of Educational Initiatives. He retired to Woodstock, ON and subsequently returned to Vancouver Island to Sidney By the Sea, BC in 2017.

in memory of

Roger A. Hoover

Degree

M.A. in Christian Ministries '16

Resided

Camden, TN

Passed

September 2, 2024

Roger Alan Hoover was born to the late Frank and Jean Hoover, a father, husband and entrepreneur, in Lakewood, Ohio on November 8, 1951. He followed in his father’s footsteps as a salesman possessing a silver tongue and sharp intellect. He was fascinated with both the prospect and the operation of business, and he formed the skills he needed working for other companies into the catalyst for his own empire. He was the guiding force behind a poly manufacturing business and the holder of US Patents in that industry.

Roger was the father of David Hoover and Kelly Greenway with whom he shared his passion for adventure. He was a sailor, diver, skier and a pilot who loved to take part in those activities with his children on family trips. But he especially enjoyed the simple moments he shared with them as well – a delicious meal, a funny movie, or a heartfelt conversation about life.

Roger was an Army Veteran who proudly served. He was a member of the 101st Airborne division in Vietnam operating as a door gunner in the CH-47 Chinook twin rotor helicopter and an ombudsman to a one star General while serving in that theatre. He was eager to offer that he and the Army did more before 0800 AM than most! Roger was a believer in Christ Jesus and his saving grace. He obtained a degree in theology in seminary as he planned to serve as a pastor in retirement. His life was ended early on September 2, 2024 from cancer and he will be cherished and missed by who loved him.

Roger is survived by his wife Susan; his children and their spouses; and his grandchildren Cooper and Griffin. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings Scott, Kevin and Pam.

in memory of

Dr. Tommy G. Purvis

Degree

D.Miss. '93

Resided

La Grange, KY

Passed

January 20, 2026

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mike Purvis, and his precious daughter Stacey Leah Purvis. He leaves behind Carla, his wife of 57 years, his daughters Dorian Clark (Kevin), Lydia Winters (Kurtis), his grandchildren Camryn Clark Ball(John Caleb), Elijah Winters, Julianna Winters, and Naomi Winters, his sister Judy Mengel, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was a graduate of W.P. Daniel High School, Mississippi State University (B.S and Masters in Agriculture), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Asbury Seminary (Doctorate of Missiology).

Tommy managed several farms in Mississippi and Alabama. He served as the 4-H Agent and later as the County Agent in Iuka, Mississippi/Tishomingo County.

Tommy surrendered to the ministry in 1985 and pastored several wonderful churches in Mississippi and Kentucky, including Highland Baptist (Tishomingo County, MS) from 1985-89, Little Mount Baptist Church (Spencer County, KY) from 1989-92, Calvary Baptist Church (Belmont, MS) from 1992-96, Ballardsville Baptist Church (Oldham County, KY) from 1996-2004, Director of Missions for the Severns Valley Baptist Association (Elizabethtown, KY) from 2004-2005, DeHaven Baptist Church (La Grange, KY) from 2006-2013.

He then served a variety of churches in KY as interim pastor for Warsaw United Methodist Church (Gallatin County, KY) from 2013-2015, Hickory Grove United Methodist Church (Trimble County, KY) from 2015-2018, Smithfield Baptist Church (Henry County, KY) from 2019-2020, Harrods Creek Baptist (Oldham County, KY) from 2021-2022, and full-time pastor at Union Grove Church (Trimble County, KY) from 2022-present.

He served as the Rotary Club President in Newton, Mississippi; Iuka, Mississippi; and La Grange, Kentucky.

He served on the Baptist Health Hospital Board in La Grange, was Oldham County Shriner Club President, member of the PeeWee Valley Masonic Lodge, Chaplain for Louisville Scottish Rites, and board member for Cedar Lake Lodge.

Tommy and Carla loved being a part of the Shriner Hillbillies where they were instrumental in helping raise funds for Shriner Children’s Hospitals. Two of their favorite fundraisers each year were the Hillbillies Day Festival and the Hillbilly Christmas in July.

The last 12 years Tommy loved sharing the gospel at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota and Daytona Beach Bike Week in Florida. He was also a supporter of FEAT of Louisville in helping raise autism awareness in honor of his only grandson, Elijah, and even wearing his Team Elijah shirts all over the world as he traveled for various ministries.

Tommy went on numerous international mission trips through the years to China, Honduras, Brazil, Russia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. He also did mission work on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, and an endless variety of ministries in Kentucky such as Mud Creek, Wayside Christian Mission, Kentucky Mountain Mission, etc.

He was always ready to meet his morning coffee group, go to the farm and work in his garden or tend to his flowers in his yard, or hop on his Harley with anyone willing to ride.

He was a gifted piano player who could play just about any tune by ear and loved making music with various groups like the Short Creek Trio in Mississippi, The Little Mountaineers in Spencer County, KY, for all of his churches, most recent years with his twin granddaughters, and going to Rabbit Hash for their monthly music.

Brother Tommy never met a stranger and had the gift that he could always find a way to relate to everyone and brighten someone’s day. He had a big personality with the love and joy of Jesus radiating from his daily life. He loved Jesus in a big way and wanted to make sure to share the love and joy of Jesus with others so they could know the Lord like he did and also have the eternal gift of salvation. Because of this Tommy is now more alive than ever living eternally in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He spent his life serving Jesus and sharing so others would know and be able to join him one day too. Praising God for the hope we have in Him and that he is now with Jesus and got to hear those beautiful words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

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