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- "Elizabethton Star," Monday, January 28, 1940
Lifetime Devoted to Church Work Ends As Rev. Stout, Baptist Minister, Dies
Rev. James Stout, 68, for almost a half a century a prominent Baptist minister of Upper East Tennessee, died in a local hospital this morning, following an illness of lengthy duration, although not seriously ill until the past month.
The deceased was a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of this entire section, whose descendants are found scattered in all parts of East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Virginia.
Born May 7, 1871 at Berk's Gap, now known as Neva in Johnson County, he was the son of the late Jacob N. and Amanda Stout. Mr. Stout entered the public school at the age of 13 years receiving only a limited education. After his marriage to Miss Ida A. Jones, of Beaver Creek, N.C., he entered Holly Springs College at Butler, now known as Watauga Academy, at the age of 27. He studied hard and was ordained as a minister of the Baptist Church while attending the college.
Active in Building
Possibly the name of 'Builder' should be applied to him, because of his active work in rebuilding old run down churches. His ministerial work extended over a period of approximately 47 years, during which time he held pastorages[sic] in Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, Sullivan, Washington counties and in Western North Carolina.
One of his chief characteristics was to go into a community and find a closed, dilapidated church. He would immediately set about making plans to remodel same.
It was in the year 1926 when he was chosen pastor of the Cherokee Church at Jonesboro, that he supervised the remodeling of the building where the first association for the churches of Tennessee was held, and where today a monument stands bearing the record.
While remodeling and rebuilding churches was a hobby of his, he never overlooked the fact of rebuilding the soul and hundreds were steered in the right direction by him, often as many as 400 and 500 people being baptized in various communities where he served.
Services Invaluable
In Elizabethton and Carter county, where he has made his home for the past 29 years, his service has been invaluable. He was instrumental in organizing the Second Baptist Church of this city, located just two doors from his late residence at 310 Holly Street, but now housed in a commodious brick structure in the west end of town and known as the Calvary Baptist Church.
It was during his travels from church to church that Rev. Stout discovered the Sinking Creek Baptist Church. Finding that it was the oldest Baptist Church in the state of Tennessee, he set about rebuilding and remodeling and organized a congregation that had been running loose for 33 years. Starting with a nucleus of three old members, he rebuilt the old log house that had stood for more than 100 years, turning it into a modern building and raising the membership to 65 members. Today, that church stands on the Glanzstoff highway as a monument to his efforts.
Funeral Today
Funeral services for Rev. Stout will be held from the First Baptist Church Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. V. Floyd Starke will be in charge of the services, assisted by Rev. W. R. Rigell of Johnson City. Burial will be made in the Happy Valley Memorial Park.
The body will remain in the chapel of the North Funeral Home until 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, when it will be taken to the First Baptist Church to lie in state until time for the funeral.
Active pallbearers will be M. F. Summerlin, Major C. H. White, E. E. Estep, Ben F. Siler, Dr. W. G. Frost, of this city; N. C. Duncan of Erwin.
The honorary pallbearers, who will also serve as the flower bearers will include the deacons of the Baptist Church and ministers of the Watauga Association.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Ida A. Stout; three daughters, Mrs. Charles Clemons, Fireco, West Va.; Mrs. H. R. Freeman, Hetzel, West Va.; Mrs. O. D. Rodkey, Birmingham, Ala.; five sons, G. W. Stout, Bristol; B. F. Stout, Beckley, West Va.; James M. Stout, Philadelphia, Pa.; Earl Stout and James Stout, Jr. of Elizabethton; two brothers, Lemuel Stout, Neva; A. G. Stout, Elizabethton; one sister, Mrs. Alice Williams, Vilas, N.C.; also 13 grandchildren.
STOUT, James (Rev.)
"Elizabethton Star," Wednesday, January 31, 1940
DEATH OF REV. STOUT DEPLORED CLASS
The Men's Bible Class of the First Baptist Church have very aptly expressed their feeling in the passing of Rev. James Stout, in the foregoing resolutions, in which they comment on the service rendered by Rev. Stout for more than fifty years.
The sad news was brought to the attention of the class of the passing of one of our neighbors, Brother James Stout, on Saturday morning, January 27th, 1940, at the age of 60(sic) years, after a half-century of faithful service for his Master.
There comes to each generation as it were, like beacon lights to the lives with which they come in contact. Our Savior promised us that "I, if I be lifted up, ill draw all men unto me." Through His ministers and consecrated servants he is still drawing men and we who knew him believe that Brother Stout was used of the spirit to draw many to righteousness.
The zeal of Brother Stout, and his passion for those round about him, for one had only to converse with him to observe the trend of his mind towards the ones out of Christ. His was a life "hid with God in Jesus Christ." Service was his watchword and to that end he had sacrificed every earthly desire and every selfish motive. His name was not widely known, but throughout the counties of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina few of our churches failed to feel the effects of his ministry or to love him for his seal in service for his Master. He has left an enduring monument of influence that will be felt for generations.
Brother Stout was ever thinking and planning for that land "that is fairer than day" and by faith he could "see it afar". Brother Stout we believe is now in His presence, redeemed and purified.
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1871 - 1940 (68 years)
