Brundidge Pastor O.L. Gamble

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Oct. 23, 2000 10 PM

Flags are flying at half staff in Brundidge in recognition of the passing of one of the town’s most beloved citizens.

The Rev. O.L. Gamble, pastor of County Line Baptist Church for 52 years, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2000, leaving an entire community saddened.

"We have lower the flags on city property and asked businesses in the community to join us in paying tribute to Rev. Gamble," said Mayor Jimmy Ramage. "He was a mainstay in the Brundidge community for more than 50 years. He has been a rock during some difficult times in our town’s history. He was always willing to do whatever was asked of him and he served his community in many different capacities. Most recently, he was a member of our Industrial Development Board. He always worked to make Brundidge a better place for all of us to live and work. We will all miss him. He has left a mark on our town and our people."

Gamble influenced countless lives and his influence will continue to be felt for many years to come. However, his passing left a void in the community that cannot be filled, said Brundidge City Councilwoman Isabell Boyd.

"I consider Rev. Gamble a cornerstone of our community," Boyd said. "He was a leader, not only in his church, but in the community. He was a friend and help to all in times of happiness, in times of sadness and during times of trouble. He will be greatly missed."

Gamble’s reach was much farther than the community he served. He was known and loved throughout the county. No one knows that better than George Grubbs, owner of Grubbs Funeral Home in Troy. The two were friends for more than half a century.

"He has been a mighty rock in his church, his town and in all the county," Grubbs said. "Rev. Gamble was a man of character and dignity. He was a role model for young folks of the community. He brought County Line Baptist Church a long way. With him, the church was always on the up and up. He was well loved. Everybody loved the man. What better can you say about a man than he was loved by all."

No one loved him more or will miss his more than those who called him "pastor."

And, perhaps, no one will miss Gamble more than those who have never known another as their pastor.

Elaine Ware was only a year old when Rev. O.L. Gamble came to pastor County Line.

"He was a blessing that was sent to us," Ware said. "We loved him. We respected him. He was a friend and a father. He was everything a church could want. There’s a song that says, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus,’ and, oh, what a friend we had in Dr. Gamble. I loved him dearly. He will be missed in our church and our community. There’s no one like him. As a member of the congregation of County Line Baptist Church, we ask for everyone to pray for us as we now go about without him."

Services for Gamble will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at County Line Baptist Church in Brundidge.