Writing
a Will
Reprinted with permission from
the May 25, 1985 edition of
The Biblical Recorder.
Last night Robbie and I sat down in the study at
home and agreed on the details of our last will and
testament. We have a will now but it is getting
dated and much of the world has changed about us
since that document was drafted.
Later today I will meet with an attorney who will
put our wishes into proper legal language.
At first blush it would seem that writing a will is a
negative experience, but in reality it is the very
opposite. Sure, most of us do not wish to talk about
death and what could happen, the pain, the
separation, and loss, but actually when you get
serious about writing the will, my impression is that
it is positive, never negative.
You assess what you have and that drives you to
consider what you are, not just in terms of material
possessions, but values, intentions, goals and
ultimate commitments. For a believer in Jesus
Christ, life does not consist of things possessed, but
life must be measured in terms of what can be done
with what we have. The key word is stewardship,
not just while we are living, but after we are gone,
until the end of the age.
Thinking through the details of a will forces an
acknowledgement of persons and things that are
loved most, that are most precious now and hence,
to be undergirded and extended in years to come.
Some priorities are easy to set: spouse, children,
parents who are living, brothers, sisters, nephews,
nieces. But beyond close blood ties there are per
sons and entities/institutions to be considered.
There are special friends to be remembered.
Perhaps there are young people whom we want to
help with their education. For devoted Baptist,
there are churches, institutions of learning and
ministry which must be remembered. These have
blessed us and we need to do our part in providing
for a continued ministry to others.
Writing a will means we can be certain about the
way things are handled after we leave this earth,
that our wishes are carrried out. Simultaneously,
we spare our loved ones of the difficult decisions
about how and what to do for the best interest of all.
It is an act of kindness to relieve those we love of
such painful details and decisions.
If you haven’t written a will, or if your will is
outdated, contact the Baptist Foundation for
assistance. They will understand your wishes to
undergird Baptist work and they have expert legal
counsel to help you avoid complications with the
laws of the state.
Don’t put off writing a will. You are delaying a
blessing.—RGP
North Carolina Baptist Leaders
Three North Carolina Baptist leaders, from
left, John Bunn, president of the Baptist
State Convention's General Board; Bruce
Whitaker, president; and Norman Wiggins,
president of Campbell University and the
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina;
enjoyed their conversation during a break
in the May meeting of the General Board at
Chowan.
General Board members of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina from across the
state met on campus in May. Here they listen to a message in Marks Hall auditorium.
Members were generous in their praise of the college campus, facilities and services.
General Board president John Bunn of Sylva expressed appreciation to the President and
Mrs. Bruce Whitaker "for the most cordial welcome to the Chowan College campus" and
thanked other staff members for their help. Chaplain, Hargus Taylor, was praised for the
thorough way he prepared for the meeting and needs of the General Board members as
campus coordinator.
Alumnus bequeaths $10,000 to Chowan
Alumna Elizabeth S. Fleming of
Raleigh, Class of 1911, has provid
ed Chowan College with a gift of
$10,000 from her will. She died on
July 15,1984. She was the widow of
James Albert Fleming.
At Chowan, her major interests
were voice and piano. She par
ticipated in concerts and was ac
tive in church music. She also
played basketball. Mrs. Fleming
received a diploma in voice and
was one of 12 in her graduating
class.
Dedicated Alumna
Dr. Whitaker said, “Mrs. Flem
ing was a dedicated, loyal alumna
who supported the college in a
number of ways over the years to
include financial and boosting
Chowan in her community.”
He continued, “Mrs. Fleming
loved this college and fondly
remembered and appreciated her
experiences as a student. Through
her gift she has provided
assistance to students of today as
well as those who will come tomor
row.”
Part of Endowment
Whitaker explained that the be
quest will become part of the col
lege’s endowment. “As such the in
come will be used to undergird the
continuing work and service of the
college in perpetuity.”
Noted President Whitaker, “She
was grateful for the Christian
educational opportunity she ex
perienced at Chowan College.
Through her gift to her alma mater
she now helps to provide such op
portunities for Christian higher
education for future generations of
young men and women.”
He added, “Her gift in support of
general endowment is of the ut
most importance in helping
Chowan continue its Christian ser
vice as one of the nation’s finest
private, two-year colleges.”
TheChowanian, July, 1985—PAGE SEVEN