William H. "Bill" Sellers

Former Brandon resident William H. (Bill) Sellers passed away April 4, 2024, in Auburn, Alabama, at age 96.

Born July 25, 1927, in Nashville, Tennessee, he grew up on farms around nearby Franklin, and was a graduate of Franklin High School. While working at a local bank after high school, Bill felt a call to ministry during a youth rally, and God opened doors for him to attend Carson-Newman College. Following his graduation in 1954, he reported for duty with the U.S. Army and spent his two-year service as the statistics clerk at the 121^st Evac Hospital in South Korea. Upon return to civilian life, he continued his education with a degree in Church Music from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bill served as Minister of Music in Denison, Texas, before moving to Mississippi to serve as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Vicksburg. While there, he met his wife Jeanette, and after a whirlwind courtship the two were married on September 23, 1961. He then served 15^th Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian, followed by First Baptist Church of Canton before being recruited to be the Director of Circulation and Advertising for The Baptist Record, news journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB). He spent most of his ministry with the MBCB in the Office of Church-Minister Relations and Annuity, where his primary role was as the Annuity Board representative for Mississippi Baptists. He retired from the MBCB after over 25 years of service in 1995.

After Bill began with the MBCB, the family moved in 1970 to Brandon, having built one of the first houses in the Crossgates area. They soon joined First Baptist Church of Brandon, where Bill and Jeanette made several close, lifelong friends, with whom Bill was always “cutting up” and laughing. His humor and wit brought joy to everyone he knew, whether with his church family, with friends playing games or sharing a garden, or with colleagues at the MBCB and Annuity Board. In addition to his work at the MBCB, Bill also served occasionally as interim minister of music for various churches in central Mississippi. His work with the Annuity Board gave him opportunity to minister to those in need with a sweet, gentle, pastoral spirit—especially in his work with churches and pastors’ widows all over Mississippi. After his retirement, Bill and Jeanette continued ministering to those experiencing illness and grief in their community of faith, having joined many of their friends at the newly begun Brandon Baptist Church. In 2006 the two moved to Clinton, South Carolina, and later, Auburn, Alabama, to be close to and cared for by their daughter Dawn and her family. He was a loving and often fun, silly Pappaw to his six grandchildren, and enjoyed the adoration of all their families’ dachshunds.

Most of all, Bill loved to lift his voice in praise and worship to his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. One of the greatest joys of his life was being a charter member of the Mississippi Singing Churchmen, creating beautiful music that led thousands in worship over the years. He was able to literally travel the world with them, working with missionaries in many countries. He later was able to participate in church mission trips to work with his daughter Alicia and her family as they served in Brazil. Bill and Jeanette were founding members of the Mississippi Missionary Parents’ Fellowship, the first group of its kind that served as a model for what is now a nationwide support network. Memories of a long and fruitful ministry filled Bill’s heart and mind with gratitude to God during his last days.

Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Jeanette Anderson Sellers, his four siblings, and “forever friend” Eddie McKenna of Uddingston, Scotland. He is survived by his two daughters, Alicia (Larry) Braswell of Winchester, KY, and Dawn (Morris) Driggers of Auburn, AL; grandchildren Wray (Rachel) Braswell of Garner, NC, Taylor (John) Driggers-McDowall of Glasgow, Scotland, Andrew Braswell of Jackson, MS, Caitlyn (Garrett) Perkins of Cary, NC, Benjamin Driggers of Auburn, AL, and Lucas (Reanne) Braswell of Cleveland, MS; great-grandchildren Zoë Perkins, Rex Braswell, Ezra Perkins, and Rob Braswell; a host of nieces and nephews, including his favorite niece, Constance (Conni Campbell) Stevens of Bentonia, MS; and extended family Ann and Russ Middlemas of Uddingston, Scotland.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation and gratitude for the impeccable, compassionate care given by the entire staff at Bethany House (Hospice) as well as to the 7^th floor nursing staff at East Alabama Medical Center during Bill’s recent hospitalizations.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 9 at 4:00pm CDT (with visitation following)
 at Auburn First Baptist Church, 128 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, AL, 36830.

There will also be visitation on Friday, April 12 at 9:30am CDT
 at Ott and Lee Funeral Home, 1340 W. Government Street, Brandon, MS, 39042
 with graveside service at Brandon Memorial Gardens at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice, or to Auburn First Baptist Church, Auburn, AL.