History of the Restoration Movement


The Farris Family Preachers

McKinley William 'Mac' Farris

1886-1978

The rise of New Testament Christianity in the Northwest Alabama region can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century. Men such as John Taylor, Elisha Randolph, and Green Haley, were instrumental in blanketing the region with preaching the old-time gospel. With the dawn of the 20th century new generations rose to the challenge of building upon the early foundations as well as planting in new fields of labor. In Walker, Fayette, Marion and Winston Counties it was the labors of Hal P. McDonald, Gus A. Dunn, and John T. Lewis.

Through those years several families of preachers have made generational impact, such as the Randolphs, the Nichols, the Blacks, and those of our focus, the Farris family preachers.

Mac William Farris was born in Lynn, Winston County, Alabama October 29, 1886. He was son of George Washington Farris (1854-1931) and Mary A Hudson (1861-1905). He was married to twice. Initially, he married Leona *Christine Tittle (1890-1945) on September 10, 1905 in Winston County, Alabama. To this union were born six sons and eight daughters. After Leona died August 27, 1943, he was remarried a couple of years later to Iva Gertha Burleson (1897-1978), March 30, 1945, also in Winston County.

At this writing it is uncertain as to when Mack became a Christian and when he entered the ministry, but some sources show the field of his ministry as being near his home, where preached regularly for the churches in Lynn, Natural Bridge and Crossroads. Mac Farris passed from this life August 31, 1978. He was buried in the Kelley Cemetery, in Eldridge, Marion County, Alabama.

-Contributed by Jerry Self, Winfield, Alabama, 09.19.2024

George Franklin "Frank" Farris, Sr.

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Words Of Truth, Friday, August 29, 1986, p.1

1906-1986

G. Frank Farris, a faithful gospel preacher for approximately thirty-six years passed away March 24, 1986. The funeral service was conducted by Curtis Posey and Gary White Wednesday, March 26, at the Eldridge Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Emma Jane Norris Farris, and eight children—five boys and three girls.

George Franklin Farris was born near Crossroads in Winston County, Alabama, on October 11, 1906, to the late M. W. (Mack) and Leona Farris. He was the oldest of fourteen children, six boys and eight girls. He attended school at Crossroads, and Lynn, Alabama. Farris was married to Emma Jane Norris on August 3, 1924, and for the next sixty two years -- until the day of his death -- they shared their lives together, and truly exemplified the meaning of Matthew 19:5 and Ephesians 5:22-33.

Frank became a Christian in 1927 and his wife in 1928. Even though they were young Christians, their interest in learning more was of such magnitude that during the 30’s after a hard day’s work at the sawmill, he and his wife would take a flat-bed truck, gather up a load of people, and go to gospel meetings to hear great preachers such as Gus Nichols, G. A. Dunn, C. P. Roland and others. Brother Farris taught Bible classes for many years following his conversion and filled in as preacher for different congregations, especially in Walker County. He attended the Gus Nichols’ Training Class in Jasper, Alabama, from its beginning to the last class taught by Brother Nichols. He took with him to these classes Brother Gary White, who was at the time a very young man, and is now preaching in Tennessee. Brother Farris has one son and one son-in-law who are gospel preachers also.

G. Frank Farris preached for a number of congregations over the years, including, Eldridge (where he also served as elder for about 15 years) and Crossroads (in Winston County). For several years he preached for the Kansas congregation (in Walker County) and at Goldmine in Marion County at the same time, preaching three sermons each Sunday, and teaching two Bible classes each week.

Brother Farris’s preaching life wasn’t always easy. He earned his livelihood through the years by sawmilling. He would work all week at the mill, study until late at night, and preach on Sundays. In 1972 he sold his sawmill and retired, giving himself to working with the church in anyway he was needed. His kindness, patience, thoughtfulness, and courtesy toward all people were of such magnitude that it won him favor among those within the congregations where he worked as well as the community in which he lived. He conducted and helped with more funerals than any other preacher in the west end of Walker County. His concern for the lost was always expressed in the prayers which he prayed. One of his greatest desires was that his children be faithful Christians; and he gave them a good example as a Christian husband, father, and citizen.

Truly, Brother George Franklin Farris is missed by all who knew him, and will be for years to come. The following poem is a tribute in his memory by a member of the Eldridge church.

-Gilbert Behel, Words Of Truth, August 29, 1986, page 2.

Tribute To A Very Real Person

G. Frank Farris

I believe there are two kinds of people,
And he was the kind I’d like to be.

He was so joyful and giving;
For virtue, he had the key.

He expressed his life by what he did,
And that won friends for him.

He lived a sermon every day—
His spirit never grew aim.

He wasn’t cheap and shallow,
But his course ran deep and pure.

Not many in life you find like him:
His goal was heaven, he was sure.

His little acts of kindness
That he thought nothing of—

These little things were big things
‘Cause he did them out of love.

He had a big smile for each person
He happened to meet on his way.

No matter the race or the color.
He had always a kind word to say.

He was always there to uplift one,
If ever he should stumble or fall—

Although he was little in statue,
In my eyes, he was ten feet tall!

He bore all his heartaches in silence,
Of his burdens he never complained.

His voice he used for just one thing:
The gospel to proclaim.

There’re not enough words to describe him.
Like giving, and careing, and fair.

I knew no other quite like him!
When needed, he was always there.

Yes, I believe in a man they call Frank.
I believe he was honest and true.

I know he was a living example
For someone like me and you.

- By: Rosemary Waldrop,
Words Of Truth, August 29, 1986, page 2.

George Franklin "Frank" Farris, Jr.

1925-2023


Obituary For George Franklin Farris, Jr.

George Franklin Farris, Jr., age 98 of Eldridge, AL passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, at his residence.

Born October 1, 1925, in Lynn, Alabama, the first-born son of the late George Franklin Farris, Sr. and the late Emma Jane Norris Farris. He graduated from Carbon Hill High School and Freed Hardeman College. He transferred to Abilene Christian College where he received his master's degree and met and married his wife. He spent his career in and around San Antonio, Texas, as an educator or Church of Christ minister. He preached at Nixon Church of Christ for over 30 years. After his retirement, he returned to Eldridge, Alabama and preached for Central Church of Christ for several years. He then began worshiping at Eldridge where it all began so many years ago.

He is survived by his daughter Cherri Lyn Farris, Eldridge, AL and son, John Clarence Farris, Dallas TX; brother Bud Farris, Eldridge; sisters Mary Hyche, Winfield, and Nella McGraw (Ed), Cullman; one granddaughter, two grandsons, two great-granddaughters, one great-great granddaughter, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife and parents; infant son, Jerry Wayne Farris; sister, Dot Doyle; and brothers Landon, Jim, and Curry Farris.

-Obituary, Veal Memorial Funeral Home

Directions To Grave

The Kelley Cemetery in Eldridge, Alabama is the final resting place of the Farris family preachers and many of their family members. The cemetery is located in Marion County. In west central Alabama, take I-22 to Exit 39, and head south on Hwy. 13 to the town of Eldridge. Turn left on Hwy. 118. On the east side of town you will turn left on one of the oldest roads in Alabama, the Byler Rd. The cemetery is on your right. At the production of this webpage, the editor has not visited the cemetery before, so specific locations are not available here. The cemetery is somewhat small, so the Farris plot should be easily found, especially with the photos available below.

GPS Location
33°55'23.8"N 87°36'42.5"W
or D.d. 33.923278, -87.611806


FARRIS
Leona Wife of M. W. Farris - December 25, 1890 - August 27, 1913 - Gone But Not Forgotten

M. W. Farris - October 29, 1886 - August 31, 1978 - Gone But Not Forgotten

 

"FRANK"
George Franklin Farris
October 11, 1906
March 24, 1986

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Need photo of George Franklin Farris, Jr's grave

Photos Contributed by Jerry Self
Webpage Produced 01.20.2025
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com

Special Recognition: Special thanks to Jerry Self, longtime preacher and elder in Marion County, Alabama. Jerry grew up knowing and listening to the preaching of the Farris family preachers of his generation. His love for their memory led to contacting your web editor with the suggestion to add a webpage to honor the lives of these good men and their families. One thing that was triggered in my mind was the connection I had with the Farris family through one of the daughters of Frank, Sr. and sister of Frank, Jr., Dorothy Dean Farris Doyle. (1929-2014) (Find-A-Grave). Dorothy was the wife of my music professor and choral director of the Freed-Hardeman College Chorus, Kelley Bant Doyle. I remember many times during my time at Freed-Hardeman in the mid-1970s traveling with and getting to know the Doyles intimately. They were great leaders in the F-HU family. I recall many times brother Doyle talking about his father-in-law in glowing terms as to how brother Farris influenced his life. I didn't realize then that the brother Farris he was referencing was a member of such a highly devoted and lauded family in Marion, Fayette, and Winston Counties, Alabama. Learning this connection made me exceedingly thankful to be able to produce this webpage to honor Dorothy's family in this way.

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