Fay L. Lanford Sr., 94, of Greer, a long-serving pastor in the Upstate, died Aug. 14, 2007, at Allen Bennett Hospital.
A native of Spartanburg County, he was a graduate of North Greenville College and Furman University. He was ordained by New Pisgah Baptist Church of North Spartanburg.
During his active years, he served pastorates at the following Baptist churches: Gowensville First, New Liberty, and Pleasant Hill in the North Greenville Association; Glenn Street, Newberry; and Beaverdam and Big Creek in Williamston. Since retiring in 1975, he had served 17 interim pastorates, including Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he was a member at the time of his death.
Lanford served two three-year terms on the General Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He also served as moderator of the Reedy River and Palmetto Baptist associations.
He was listed in the 1973-75 editions of Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans published by American Biographical Institutes.
He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Grace Ballenger Lanford, a daughter, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a daughter and a son.