Rev. Dr. W. J. Buchanan

Rev. Dr. W. J. Buchanan, the beloved husband of Bernice P. Buchanan, Th.D., imparted bountifully to humankind throughout the purposeful, treasured life the Good Lord blessed him to fulfill. An anointed pastor, preacher, teacher, mentor, forerunner, innovator, golfer, composer, entrepreneur, and gifted orator -- Rev. Dr. W. J. Buchanan held dear his call to Earth, which commenced in October, 1941 when borne as the youngest of five children to the late United States Army Veteran, Mr. Oliver Buchanan and the late Mrs. Katie M.B. Buchanan-- later reared by the late Mrs. Emma B. Harps and Dea. Tommie L. Harps (Mrs. Jewel). A retired pastor-founder, Rev. Dr. Buchanan invested unceasingly through ministry, preaching, teaching, selfless giving, and exemplifying Christ-likeness in his life and in his works until the Lord called him home to Glory in Heaven on July, 24, 2016. Manifestations of his God-ordained, beautiful life remain, and may be celebrated along with one of the scriptures most prized by Rev. Dr. Buchanan: Matthew 5:16 -- "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Rev. Dr. Buchanan received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age, and grew up in the Eighth Street Baptist Church of Griffin, Georgia, where he sowed as a choir member, Trustee, and Deacon prior to his call to ministry. Most recently, Rev. Dr. Buchanan and his loving wife, Dr. Bernice P. Buchanan, retired after more than 25 years of ministry and service, including tenures at both, The Carpenter's House Word Ministry of Griffin, Georgia -- founded by Rev. Dr. Buchanan, and commencing in 2002 -- and The China Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Turin, Georgia, commencing in 1989. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Buchanan, the China Grove Missionary Baptist Church underwent its first-ever and successful building fund campaign -- which culminated into a new, spectacular edifice seating more than 300 persons -- an unprecedented accomplishment in China Grove's then-more than 130-year history. To God Be The Glory. A retired alumnus of a Fortune 500 company, Rev. Dr. Buchanan graduated from Griffin Spalding County Schools; served in the U.S. Armed Forces; and earned his doctorate in Theology from Andersonville Baptist Seminary. Rev. Dr. Buchanan also studied at The Interdenominational Theological Center at the Atlanta University Center. Rev. Dr. Buchanan is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Bernice P. Buchanan, and their four adult children: Mrs. Carmel F.B. Benton (COL(R) Gus II); Mr. Zachary T. Buchanan (Mrs. Marie); Ms. Susan M. Buchanan; and Ms. Sonya M. Buchanan; in addition to cherished second and third generation descendants; an abundance of paternal and maternal relatives of his own and of his wife, including his endearment for Mrs. Beatrice B. Phillips (the late Dea. Leroy). Visitation for W. J. Buchanan will be on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday at 12:00 pm at Eighth Street Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Rev. Dr. W. J. Buchanan

October 16, 1941 - July 24, 2016