Recorder editor notifies directors of his retirement this year
A staff report
R.G. Puckett, editor of the Biblical Recorder since Aug. 1, 1982, has notified the paper's Board of Directors that he plans to retire Dec. 31.
In a letter addressed to Chairman Don E. Bolden, Burlington, and copied to all members of the Board, Puckett said the timing of his retirement was the result of his age, years in the ministry and careful consideration of his family.
R.G. Puckett
Puckett, the only man in Southern Baptist history to serve as an editor of four different state Baptist papers, turned 65 Sept. 22. He met privately with the chairman and vice chairman of the Board Sept. 24 and 25 to advise them of his plans.
"It has been the highest honor of my 50-year ministry in the gospel and four decades in working with state Baptist papers to serve as editor of the Biblical Recorder," Puckett said in his letter to the Board.
"Long before I came to North Carolina, I admired and respected the Recorder as one of the four best state Baptist papers in the United States. I am indebted to those who preceded me for their wisdom, courage and insight in launching, properly structuring and maintaining a voice of truth for Baptists in the state and beyond.
"The paper has always been committed to the full, free flow of accurate information upon which Baptists can make their decisions. The Recorder has been on the cutting edge of issues, unafraid to take a stand--however controversial--and to provide an open forum for the exchange of Baptist perceptions and views on church, denominational life and trends in society."
Puckett succeeded J. Marse Grant who served as editor 22 years, the longest tenure in the 165-year history of the paper. Grant was preceded by L.L. Carpenter who served 19 years. The three men edited the Recorder for almost 60 years of the 20th century.
Puckett, a native of Kentucky, served as editor of the Ohio Baptist Messenger and the Maryland Baptist and was associate editor of the (Ky.) Western Recorder before coming to North Carolina. While editor in Maryland, he assisted in the birth of The New England Baptist and The Penn/Jersey Baptist by volunteering his services without salary as managing editor of the papers in the two new state conventions.
The state Baptist paper in North Carolina was founded by Thomas Meredith in January 1833. The delegates (messengers) to the 1832 annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention affirmed the birth of the paper and pledged their support to Meredith who was pastor of the Edenton Church at the time.
Meredith served as editor of the paper until his death in November 1850. The Pennsylvania native came to North Carolina in 1817 at the age of 22 as a missionary. He lived the rest of life in North Carolina and is buried in Raleigh.
"The Pucketts fell in love with North Carolina long before we moved here," Puckett wrote to the directors.
"Both our daughters attended Baptist schools in North Carolina, and that brought us to the state frequently. Here we found wonderful people, an exciting, growing state and a rich Baptist heritage.
"We are exceedingly grateful for the love and kindness shown to us by so many Tar Heels."
Puckett earned degrees at Campbellsville (Ky.) University, Western Kentucky University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Wake Forest University honored him with a doctorate in 1990.
R.G. and Robbie Puckett have been married 43 years. They have two daughters--Janet Wade of Charlotte, and Jeanne Fishwick of Roanoke, Va. They have three grandchildren: Jordan L. Wade, Hamlin L. Wade III, and Richard Henry Fishwick.
The Pucketts will continue to make their home in Raleigh during retirement years.
