Dr. Robert Russell Ashcraft

Dr. Robert Russell Ashcraft was born on April 5, 1934, in Mabelvale, Arkansas, (delivered by a doctor at his home-10 lbs at birth) and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 14, 2026. (91 years old) Our dad shared a remarkable 70 years of marriage to the love of his life, Carolyn Kumpe (our mother). He was a devoted Dad to seven children: their firstborn daughter Rebecca, who passed away as an infant; and James, John, Timothy, Paul, Susan, and Sarah. His family grew to include 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, all of whom were a source of joy. Dad also had 2 sisters (Mary and Martha) and nieces and nephews. He was named after Conrad Glover's father (Robert).

Dad was called into ministry at about 17 years of age. At that time Bro. Paul Goodwin was his pastor at the FMBC of Mabelvale. Bro. Goodwin mentored Dad and allowed him time to get real live experience in front of the congregation. He also shared with him his sermon outlines. When Dad graduated from high school he attended and graduated from the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas. In about 1961, we moved from Mabelvale to Shongaloo, Louisiana as our Dad was called to preach there. It was during that time that Dad felt called to help Baptist colleges become accredited with the state. He started taking courses at Louisiana Tech and some at Southern Arkansas University and further at Baptist Christian College in Shreveport, LA in order to obtain his state accredited bachelor's degree and then on to a master's degree. We then moved to Commerce, Texas for Dad to get his PhD degree, which he obtained in 1967 from East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas. (now Texas A&M Commerce, Texas). He sometimes drove around 200 miles twice a week to attend the colleges mentioned above. He spent 3 years teaching at Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. (now Northeastern State University) He was then hired by Baptist Christian College in Shreveport, Louisiana to be their dean of students and to help them to obtain accreditation (which they did obtain) and later at Florida Baptist Schools in Lakeland, Florida. (hired by Doctor Albert Garner) He helped educate over 30 young men who became pastors and missionaries throughout the world and most of them are currently still pastoring.

Two of Dad's main callings were Baptist College accreditation and his writing ministry. He helped at least one college become accredited and wrote 18 books. The topics of his books focused on Missionary Baptist Distinctives, Church History, Worship, Home and Church Education and the Pastoral Epistles. He pastored Missionary Baptist churches in Vilonia, Arkansas, Benton, Arkansas, Cave City, Arkansas, Shongaloo, Louisiana, Vian, Oklahoma, Dade City, Florida, Sheridan, Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas and another church in Benton, Arkansas. He attended most National ABA (American Baptist Association) meetings since 1950 (when he was only 16 years old). Later in his tenure at the ABA meetings he had a booth that was promoting his books. He also attended state and local ABA meetings as well. He was greatly respected and widely known within the ABA. Dad was very involved in church history in the ABA. He was on the inaugural committee established by the ABA from the early 1970's for about 40 years.

Dad had a very sharp mind, was innovative, ambitious and made some major accomplishments and had a wide range of interests. He worked in the oil industry in Texas, and in retail at Sears & Roebuck, with pure bred dairy cows, in rental property and at the post office. He was an avid coin collector, puzzler, gardener and church historian. We rejoice knowing he is now free from pain and in the presence of God.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 23rd at 10:00am at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas.