On Thursday, Feb. 24, our business manager’s husband, Paul Bugbee, went home to be with the Lord after succumbing to lung cancer. Most readers will not recognize Ginny Bugbee’s name since her role with Florida Baptist Witness is in the background. Nevertheless, Ginny is an immensely integral part of our work — something about which our newsletter churches would quickly and heartily testify.

Paul was a faithful man of God whose conversations were never far from expressing his devotion for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul was a man of few words and those words were usually reserved for praising Jesus. That was no less true the last time I saw him in the hospital the day before he died. Paul cherished His Savior’s love, knowing that because He conquered death, the grave would not hold victory over him either. We should all walk with God in the fashion of Paul Bugbee.

Since the days I first met her four years ago, Ginny has well illustrated the qualities of a godly woman found in Proverbs 31. This has been especially true in her ministry to Paul as he fought the terrible cancer that literally took his breath away.

The Florida Baptist Witness family hurts for our sister in Christ. We would be most grateful if you would seek the Lord’s comfort for Ginny and other family members — including Paul’s sister Susan and son Paul Jr. – as they grieve their loss.

Thank you,
James A. Smith Sr.