Dr. Paul M. Pridgen

The Rev. Dr. Paul M. Pridgen, Jr. entered eternal rest on Sunday, October 28, 2012. Born on October 4, 1927 to the Reverend and Mrs. Paul M. Pridgen in Charleston, SC, Rev. Pridgen spent most of his life and ministry in the Charleston area. He graduated from Carlisle Military Academy, Furman University, the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the Baptist College of Charleston in recognition of his leadership with the college and his ministry in the Church and community.

Ordained to the ministry at the First Baptist Church of North Charleston in 1951, Rev. Pridgen was a fourth consecutive generation of Baptist ministers. He served Baptist churches and institutions in North and South Carolina. Returning to the First Baptist Church of North Charleston in 1962, Rev. Pridgen followed his father as Pastor of that congregation. They served a total of sixty-two years consecutively in the pastoral ministry of that church.

Distinctions of his life and ministry include involvement as a Christian leader in community affairs, a vision of Christian mission to both the local community and around the world, a strong advocacy for religious liberty and the separation of church and state, and efforts to build bridges of understanding across boundaries of race, religion, class and gender. Rev. Pridgen's understanding and practice of the faith were to inspire, instruct and to encourage others toward an enriching life with God and with one another in community.

Rev. Pridgen is survived by his wife of sixty years, Millie Hawkins Pridgen; sons, Paul M. "Buddy" Pridgen III and his wife Jane, Stephen M. Pridgen and his wife Daisy; grandsons, David Pridgen and his wife Anna, Andrew Pridgen, Matthew Pridgen and his wife Elizabeth, and Kevin Pridgen; great-grandchildren Paul David Jr. and Ella James Pridgen; sisters Betty Holand and Mary Zedick; and nephews and nieces.

The relatives and friends of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Paul M. Pridgen, Jr. are invited to attend his funeral service at the First Baptist Church of North Charleston, 4217 Rivers Avenue, on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., followed by the Committal Service and time with friends at Riverview Memorial Park.
Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of North Charleston, 4217 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.