(The Late) Rev. Dr. J.E. Merriweather, Husband, Father, Pastor, Teacher, Founder, and Civil Rights Era Champion:

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Was born March 2, 1944, in Tuscaloosa County. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and united with Bethlehem Baptist Church in Johns, Alabama, where he sang in the Choir and was Youth Director until he was called into the ministry.

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He attended Adger Junior High School in Adger, Alabama, and graduated from Westfield High School, Birmingham, Alabama where he played varsity football.  As a youth, he was active in scouting and played with the community baseball team. 

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He continued his education at the following institution: Birmingham Baptist Bible College where he received his Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Gadsen State Community College, New Era Baptist Seminary, Inc., where he received an honorary doctorate degree, and Universal Bible Institute where he received his Master's of Divinity.

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He accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior at an early age and united with the Bethlehem Baptist Christ in Johns, Alabama, where he sang in the Choir and was Youth Director until he was called into the ministry.

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Preaching was his passion, but he also loved singing. His singing career started in Johns, Alabama with a community quartet. In 1959, he met the love of his life, Betty Rose Atmore while singing in a gospel youth group, "The Gospel Revelettes". In addition, he was one of the lead singers of the Delta Aires of Birmingham, Alabama and he helped organize the Gospel Crusades of Bessemer, Alabama.

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He received his calling into the ministry in 1970 and pastored his first church, Little True Vine Primitive Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama. After serving at Little True Vine Primitive Baptist Church for one year, he was called to the Shiloh Baptist Church in Gadsen, Alabama where he served for ten years. During his tenure there, he was a part of the Willis Creek District Association where he served in various capacities. He was an intricate part of the social, civic, civil rights, and community affairs of the city.

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In April of 1984, he was called to Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Merriweather was a preacher par excellence with a mission and a vision. His mission was to tell the world about a Savior, who came, lived, died, and rose for our sins that we might have a right to the tree of life. His vision was to build a new sanctuary (Phase I), Multipurpose Center (Phase II) , and a Housing for Senior Citizens (Phase III). Phase I and Phase II are completed. Pastor Merriweather reached beyond the boundaries of his church. He actively participated with Habitat for Humanity, started the Birmingham Easionian Baptist Bible College in Anniston, Alabama, and founded Merriweather Global Ministries along with Merriweather Bible Institute.

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His religious affiliations were as follows: President of the Snow Creek District Congress of Christian Education, former Moderator of the Snow Creek District Association, Anniston, Alabama, Past Second Vice-President of the Northeast District State Convention. Former Advisor for the Matrons of the Northeast District Association, Member of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, and a member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

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Dr. Merriweather's social, civic affiliations, special awards, and acknowledgments include SCLC, NAACP, The New Alabama Voters League, Member of the Water Works, and Sewer Board for the City of Anniston, Alabama. In January of 1989, he received a personal invitation to attend the Inauguration of George Herbert Walker Bush, in Washington D.C., and in February of 1999, he received a Community Leader Hall of Fame award from the IOTA MU OMEGA Chapter of Alpha Kalpa Alpha Sorority.

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He united in holy matrimony to former Betty Rose Atmore in 1963, and to this union, five children were born: Johnny Edward Merriweather, Jr., Rev. Dr. Tonya Elaine Merriweather Gipson, Tony Dewayne Merriweather, Rev. Timothy Earl Merriweather, and Dionne Elisa Merriweather Johnson.

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He also leaves to mourn a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, the entire Friendship Baptist Church Family.

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Dr. J.E. Merriweather is recognized across this country and in many parts of the world as a visionary, great Preacher, Pastor, Teacher, Leader, and Civil Rights Activist. His legacy will forever be remembered and cherished by those who knew and loved him.