Benjamin Franklin Livingstone, Jr., 1904-1990

Benjamin Franklin Livingstone, Jr. was born in Montgomery County, Alabama, the son of Frances T. and Benjamin F. Livingstone, Sr. He attended a small Methodist Church in his youth. After graduating from high school in Montgomery he worked for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad as a demurrage clerk, and later with the Alabama Inspection and Rating Bureau.

When Ben felt God's call to the ministry he enrolled in Bob Jones College, and later at Appalachian State Teachers' College, from which he graduated. He then served with the American Sunday School Union as a home missionary in the Mid-West Prairie States, organizing Sunday schools and churches, often in isolated areas where there were no religious organizations of any kind. One-room schoolhouses were frequently used for Sunday school, Bible schools, revivals and Sunday worship. Mr. Livingstone became affiliated with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church but eventually wanted to return to the Methodist Church where his roots were. He came to the Virginia conference in 1963 and served in the Lynchburg, Danville and Charlottesville districts until his retirement.

It was my good fortune to become acquainted with Ben Livingstone and his wife, Joyce, when they came to the Danville District. I found him serious, conscientious and diligent -- and always working to fulfill his lifetime commitment to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ. He was supported in his work by his wife, to whom I am indebted for important information concerning his early life.

After a long and debilitating illness this devoted servant of our Lord died January 3, 1990. He is survived by his wife, the former Joyce Hoffman; a daughter, Mrs. Rachel L. Sterrett, Lebanon, Va.; two sons, Benjamin, III, Elon, Va. and Samuel J., Nathalie, Va.; and four grandsons.

A Memorial Service was conducted in Lynchburg by the Rev. William A. Moon, Jr., and Mr. Livingstone's son-in-law, the Rev. John D. Sterrett, III, of Lebanon, Va.

 

-Harold H. Fink