Dr. Robert Stephen Ginn

Robert Ginn was lovingly known as Dr. Ginn to many who were blessed by his dedication to teach the Bible. His life was filled with the bright colors of his extensive Daylily gardens, conversations with family members, and hours and hours of study which covered every page of Scripture multiple times over the 80 years of ministry that God granted to him. Robert Stephen Ginn, 99 years of age, of Fayetteville, North Carolina died at home, surrounded by family that adore him on January 13th, 2026.

Bobby Ginn was born in Aroostook County, Maine November 3rd, 1926, to Flora and Lemuel Ginn. He was the youngest of four children, Doris, Ken, Geraldine & Bob. His family was blessed by the Lord as they grew potatoes in the Northern part of Maine, 10 miles from the Canadian border. Those were the days when harvesting potatoes was an all-hands-on-deck, family activity. School let out during harvest season and all the kids would participate in picking the potatoes. It was hard work and Bob remembered discussing with his father how happy he was when the job was finally done! His father replied, "But wouldn't it be nice if there were just a few more." (It was Depression time and everyone was struggling to make ends meet.)

Bobby, who started out in a one-room schoolhouse, skipped a grade in school. He remembered the day his teacher rather nonchalantly asked him to stay for the next lesson with the older children, and voila…he was in the 3rd grade. As a result, he graduated when he was 16 from High School in Caribou, Maine. Those early years were marked by the loss of Bobby's father (when Bobby was but 12 years old). He was also marked by a God-given conviction that he was to serve the Lord by preaching and teaching God's Word.

Overcoming significant odds and full of faith in God's grace, Bobby not only became Robert, but he headed off to Boston, to Gordon College, where he worked his way through school by serving as head waiter at the school cafeteria. Robert's love for God and for learning took him all the way to Dallas, Texas where he earned his Seminary degree at Dallas Theological Seminary.

During those years of study, Robert returned to Maine in the summers and served as a pastor, sometimes being responsible for 7 churches at a time. He traveled between churches on a motorbike. Upon graduation from Seminary, Robert returned to Maine where he pastored the Baptist church in Fort Fairfield.

Something more than just studies would pull Robert back to Dallas to complete his ThD in theology. He had seen a lovely woman by the name of Arwood Adams. Robert ended up receiving a card from Arwood, and the Lord used that to eventually bless him with the desire of his heart; the two were married on August 31st, 1958 in Fort Worth, Texas. When Robert completed studies, the two returned to Maine and Dr. Ginn pastored a church in Calais.

While in Calais they were blessed with four children: Stephen, Gaylyn, Gloria and David. With the littlest one still in diapers, Dr. Ginn and Arwood accepted a challenge to plant a church in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, and moved there in 1964. He served as the pastor of East Livingston Baptist Church for 10 years. Then, in 1974 they moved to Marion, Ohio where Dr. Ginn served as pastor of Trinity Baptist church for 20 years.

When it was time to retire, the Ginn's moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina where their eldest son, Stephen, was a cardiologist. The grandchildren and warm weather pulled them like a magnet to Fayetteville which became the new center of gravity for the Ginn family.

Dr. Ginn's grandchildren are Peter & John Ginn; Sam, Sarah (Odling), Nathaniel & Rachel Eddy; and Justin Ginn & Cristy (Olsen). Their great grandchildren are Noah, Adelaide Arwood, and Tomi Ginn.

For these new generations, Grandad was a loving example of what it means to follow Christ. He had the house where many learned to swim. In his yard everyone gained an appreciation for the beauty of God's creation as they strolled through his extensive gardens.

How does one capture the heartbeat of a man who served eight decades as a teacher and pastor? Perhaps this snapshot communicates much: At the age of 85, Dr. Ginn learned the power of modern technology and taught himself how to use PowerPoint in order to increase the impact of his teaching. Years prior, when his children were small, he had worked extensively with flannelgraph. He picked up the new tool in order to serve others effectively. All of the hours he spent preparing his lessons and illustrating them demonstrate the great passions that motivated him every day of his life.

Dr. Ginn exuded confidence. Confidence in his Savior, Jesus. Confidence that God had spoken in His Word. Confidence that he was called to teach the truth, and to see lives changed. Confidence that God's blessings are measureless, and that his love is specific. Since little Bobby was a child, he knew where his real home is. It is with Jesus, in the presence of the Father. He has longed for the day in which he would be promoted into glory and we rejoice with him that God has called his servant home.

Those of us who remain have one aspiration as we think about Robert Ginn, may we walk with Jesus the way that he did, and be transformed into the image of Christ.

Robert Ginn is survived by his wife Arwood Ginn; Children: Stephen Ginn, Gaylyn Eddy, Gloria Ginn and David Ginn.

A Celebration of Life for Dr. Ginn will be held at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church this Saturday, January 17th, at 11:00 am. There will be a viewing and opportunity to connect with the family immediately preceding the service starting at 10:00 am.

Because Robert expressed a life-long dedication to international missions, donations in his memory can be made to His Outreach Worldwide, which is bringing the message of the gospel to thousands of children around the world. www.hisoutreachworldwide.org/donate

Online condolences may be sent to www.jerniganwarren.com

Services provided by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301