Sources |
- [S76] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume III, 1974-1986, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 21 Feb 1982.
Mayford Bennett Ogle obituary
- [S78] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume I, 1930-1954, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 20 Sep 1972.
Daniel Hubert Smelcer obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 6 Sep 2006.
Church thanks retiring teacher
By: CANDICE GRIMM, Staff Writer September 06, 2006
Members of Smoky Mountains Baptist Church held a cheerful, and sometimes tearful farewell for Ted Ogle, their Sunday School teacher the past 20 years.
Ogle, 67, isn't going anywhere - he will remain a member of the church as he has for 25 years - but he is stepping down as a teacher because of health conditions which often prevent him from being able to teach.
Said Ogle, "I had a stroke a year ago and sometimes I can't talk, but I told everyone that I will still teach when I feel like it."
At the beginning of the church service Sunday, those who felt moved to do so, praised Ogle's work in the church, his skill as a teacher, and the impact he has had on their lives.
Rick Hewett said Ogle "was drawn to this church when we were meeting in a trailer across the road. The church needed him and God knew it. ... If Ted had never spoken a word, he would have taught me. .. When you teach, you've got to do more than just read the Bible, you've got to study it, and you've got to live it. Ted did a lot to tell us and show us God's word."
In what may be his last official class in the church, Ogle urged everyone to "edify, lift each other up" as well as those with whom they come into contact.
"At times, you don't have to say nothing to lift someone up - just smile," said Ogle. "At times when I was down, I might sit at the piano and play a song, and you just can't help but bubble over from the music, and then you can't wait to get up and teach."
Ogle also touched on how the church supported him when his son died and he was struggling to cope. "I love this church and the people of the church. You are a witness to people with your lives," said Ogle.
After accepting the gift of a watch from the congregation, Ogle stood at the front of the church while members, some of whom were very emotional, filed past to wish him well.
After the service, which included the playing of his favorite song "Lord Don't Move That Mountain," Ogle said there were many times that he would study a lesson and then "the Lord would change it - I just let Him lead."
"I think a lot of people have been a blessing to me and taught me a lot. ... I come to church to give a blessing, and I get a blessing," said Ogle.
* cgrimm@themountainpress.com
|