Dr. Richard Raymond Lloyd Jr.

1929 - 2026

Dr. Richard Raymond Lloyd, Jr.

Born: March 3, 1929 | Died: March 9, 2026

Dr. Richard Raymond Lloyd, Jr., 97, was called home to his heavenly Father on March 9, 2026. He was the son of Rev. Richard Raymond, Sr. and Edith Evans Lloyd. He was born on March 3, 1929, in Fort Edward, NY, grew up on nearby Lake George where his father built a small cottage in 1932 and would later graduate from Oneonta (NY) High School. He graduated as the Student Body President from Carson Newman College in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts with majors in English, History and Music. In addition, he holds the Bachelor of Divinity (1953) and Doctor of Theology (1960) from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. On December 21, 1953, he married "his songbird" Gretta Virginia Johnson beginning a lifetime of love and ministry. He would pastor five churches, beginning at age 20. While at Carson Newman, and then his first two years at Southern Seminary, he pastored the Caney Ford Baptist Church (1948-52) in Roane County commuting weekly. While at Southern Seminary, he pastored the First Baptist Church (1952-1958) of Bridgeport, IL also commuting weekly. As he neared the end of his seminary studies, he returned to Roane County, to become pastor of the First Baptist Church Rockwood (1958 - 1962). For the next ten years, he pastored the Ridgedale Baptist Church (1962-72), in Chattanooga and finally, for the last 22 years, he served as pastor of the First Baptist Church (1972-94), Starkville, MS. In retirement, he served as an interim pastor in 30 different churches in MS, NY and East Tennessee, including the FBC of Oak Ridge and the FBC of Jefferson City, and internationally at the Kowloon International Baptist Church, Kowloon, Hong Kong. In addition, he taught in extended sessions at both the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary and in the Nigerian Baptist Seminary in Ogbomosha, Nigeria. His most significant work was helping the Baptist Churches of upstate NY. In addition, he preached annually for over 50 summers, like his father before him did, at the Lakeside Chapel, Cleaverdale, NY on the banks of his beloved Lake George. He also served denominationally on the Board for the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home, President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, as a member of the Southern Baptist Convention Religious and Ethics Committee and the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. He and Gretta were parents to 4 children. Richard Raymond, III, William Evan, Vicky May and Linda Lee. Proceeding him in death are his parents Rev. Richard R. and Edith Lloyd, Sr.; his wife of 71 ½ years Gretta Johnson; his children William Evan and Linda Lee; his daughter in law Dr. Debra Heard Lloyd; his son in law Joseph Redfearn; two unnamed stillborn sisters; and Tanner Joseph Redfearn, stillborn great grandson. He is survived by his children Dr. Richard Raymond Lloyd III and Vicky Redfearn Wilkes (Steve). Grandchildren – his pride and joy: Rev. Richard R. "Logan" Lloyd IV (Claire); Dr. Kelsey Lee Lloyd; Rachel Ann Redfearn; Jacob Michael Redfearn (Erika); William Jordan Lloyd and Captain Joseph Evan Redfearn, U.S. Space Force, (Jessie). Great grandchildren Cora Lynn Lloyd, Eva James Lloyd and Josephine Mae Redfearn. He was a proud member of the William Victor Johnson family, and as the last surviving member of the 11 children and their spouses, he leaves behind a multitude of nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, TN on Saturday, March 14 with visitation from 11:00a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and the worship service immediately following at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Union Cemetery in Newport, TN. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Ray and Gretta Lloyd Scholarship Fund for Ministerial Students" (Pastoral, Church Music or Missions) at Carson Newman University. CNU Advancement Office, P.O. Box 557, Jefferson City, TN 37760. Family and friends may sign the guest register online at www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.