Rev. Gerald Keith Gordon

October 5, 1946 - February 18, 2021

Reverend Gerald Keith Gordon, 74, went to be with his Heavenly Father Thursday morning, February 18, 2021, at his home. Keith was born on October 5, 1946, in Picayune, MS, to Reverend G.H. and Miriam Gordon. As a young man, he felt the call to the ministry. He was ordained by Creston Hills Baptist Church in Jackson, MS. After graduating from Provine High School in 1965, he moved to Laurel, MS, to attend Southeastern Baptist College (1965-1970). He later earned his B.S. from William Carey University (1978), M. Div. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1981), and D. Min. also from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1986). During his 56 years in the ministry, he served Union Baptist Church, Bay Springs, MS (1965-1972); Big Creek Baptist Church, Soso, MS (1972-1976); Centerville Baptist Church, Soso, MS (1976-1981); East Columbia Baptist Church, Columbia, MS (1981-1995); Preaching and Worship Consultant at Missouri Baptist Convention (1995-1999); Consultant in the Pastor Leadership Department at Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (1999-2014); First Baptist Church, Raleigh, MS (2015-2019), and Chaplain Mississippi State Hospital (2019-2020). His heart for spreading the Gospel led to an evangelistic preaching tour in the West Indies (1984), a stewardship campaign in the Republic of South Africa (1988), a preaching and teaching tour into Belarus (1995), a pastor’s conference tour in Ukraine (2001), a church planter’s conference in Kazakhstan (2005), and still on-going partnership missions in the United Kingdom (2007- present). He was preceded in death by his parents, and his eldest sister, Tessa Gordon Darst. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judy Holifield Gordon; daughter, Dr. Jessica E. Gordon; son, Gerald K. Gordon, II (Lauren); grandson, Nicholas Gordon; sisters, Cathy Johnson (Jay), Asheville, NC, Donna Strickland (Nick), Gulfport, MS, Connie Lowe, Laurel, MS, and a number of nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held from 5:00- 7:00 PM, Thursday, February 25, 2021, at First Baptist Church Shady Grove, Laurel, MS. A memorial service will be Friday, February 26, 2021, at 2:00 PM, also at First Baptist Church Shady Grove. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.