ATLANTA (BP)–Students and faculty members at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s North Georgia Extension Center are mourning the loss of Stan Wilkins, a beloved adjunct professor and former associate dean.
Wilkins passed away Nov. 29 at the Atlanta Medical Center. Four days earlier Wilkins was admitted to the hospital after falling from a ladder at his home. He was 53.
In addition to adjunct teaching duties at NOBTS, Wilkins served as the director of missions for the Bartow Baptist Association in Cartersville, Ga., and was on the faculty of Shorter College in Rome, Ga. At the time of his accident, Wilkins also served as interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Cartersville, Ga.
Jimmy Dukes, associate provost at New Orleans Seminary, said Wilkins was instrumental in the growth of the seminary’s North Georgia Extension. Wilkins served as acting director and associate dean for the center from 1992-1999.
“From the time Stan began working with us and even after he went on to other ministry, he remained a friend of NOBTS and sent students and support our way,” Dukes said.
“He had remarkable gifts as a teacher, as a preacher, and as a people person. He brought a lot of joy to all those who worked around him. I will miss him because of the joy of being around him and because of our personal friendship. We have suffered a great loss.”
Chad Cottle, a New Orleans Seminary student and a minister to students at First Baptist Church in LaGrange, Ga., echoed Dukes’ thoughts. He considered Wilkins a ministry mentor and friend as well as a great professor.
“Dr. Stan was a wonderful man. He was my favorite professor,” Cottle said. “He cared about his students inside and outside of class.”
Wilkins cared deeply about family and always encouraged his students to safeguard their families and keep ministry in perspective, Cottle said. Wilkins’ love for his wife, Gail, and daughter, Tamara, were mentioned frequently in the three classes Cottle took under Wilkins.
“He modeled how to be a good husband and father,” Cottle said. “He did a lot for God’s kingdom. We’ll miss him.”
Wilkins was a two-time graduate of New Orleans Seminary. He earned a master of divinity degree in 1990 and a doctor of philosophy degree in 2001.
Funeral services were held Dec. 2 at First Baptist Cartersville. Instead of flowers the Wilkins family asks that donations be made to the Stan and Gail Wilkins Scholarship Fund at NOBTS. Donations may be sent to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Office for Institutional Advancement, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70126. Please note that the gifts are for the “Stan and Gail Wilkins Scholarship Fund.”
Wilkins is survived by his wife, Gail, daughter, Tamara, and son-in-law, Michael Lankford. An interactive tribute to Wilkins is available on First Baptist Cartersville’s website, www.cartersvillefirst.com
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