The Political Graveyard: Church of Christ Politicians

Church of Christ Politicians

Very incomplete list!

Note: See also Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, and Christians.

Elbert M. Adcox (1899-1969) — of Hohenwald, Lewis County, Tenn. Born October 2, 1899. Democrat. Automobile dealer; oil distributor; trucking business; member of Tennessee state house of representatives, 1945-50, 1959-64. Church of Christ. Died in 1969. Burial location unknown.
James Browning Allen (1912-1978) — also known as James B. Allen; Jim Allen — of Gadsden, Etowah County, Ala. Born in Gadsden, Etowah County, Ala., December 28, 1912. Son of George C. Allen and Mary Ethel (Browning) Allen; married, March 16, 1940, to Marjorie Jo Stephens (died 1956); married, August 7, 1964, to Maryon Pittman Mullins. Democrat. Lawyer; member of Alabama state house of representatives, 1939-43; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; member of Alabama state senate, 1947-51; Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, 1951-55, 1963-67; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1952; U.S. Senator from Alabama, 1969-78; died in office 1978. Church of Christ. Died in Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, Ala., June 1, 1978. Interment at Forrest Cemetery, Gadsden, Ala.
- See also: congressional biography; Wikipedia article.
William S. Banowsky (b. 1936) — of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Calif. Born in Abilene, Taylor County, Tex., March 4, 1936. Republican. Minister; president, Pepperdine University, 1968-78; president, University of Oklahoma, 1978-85; delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1972; member of Republican National Committee from California, 1972-73; Presidential Elector for California, 1972. Church of Christ. Still living as of 2000.
Riley Alvin Bender (1890-1973) — also known as Riley A. Bender — of Chicago, Cook County, Ill. Born in Chicago, Cook County, Ill., July 8, 1890. Son of Edward Bender and Rachel Josephine 'Josie' (Davis) Bender. Prize fighter; hotel manager; music store manager; seed wholesaler; candidate in Democratic primary for Illinois state senate 11th District, 1938; candidate for Republican nomination for President, 1944, 1948, 1952. Church of Christ. German and Welsh ancestry. Died, in Illinois Central Hospital, Chicago, Cook County, Ill., March 6, 1973. Interment at Onarga Cemetery, Onarga, Ill.
Lyle H. Boren (1909-1992) — of Seminole, Seminole County, Okla. Born near Waxahachie, Ellis County, Tex., May 11, 1909. Father of David Lyle Boren; grandfather of Daniel David Boren. Democrat. U.S. Representative from Oklahoma 4th District, 1937-47; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Church of Christ. Member, American Legion; Elks; Odd Fellows; Rotary. Died July 2, 1992. Burial location unknown.
- See also Boren family of Oklahoma
- See also: congressional biography.
Tommy Burks (1940-1998) — of near Monterey, Putnam County, Tenn. Born in Cookeville, Putnam County, Tenn., May 22, 1940. Son of Walter Fred Burks and Christine Gilliam Burks; married 1960 to Charlotte Rose Gentry. Farmer; member of Tennessee state house of representatives, 1971-78; member of Tennessee state senate, 1979-98; died in office 1998. Church of Christ. Member, Farm Bureau; Lions. Shot to death in his pickup truck by his opponent for re-election, Byron Low Tax Looper, near Monterey, Cumberland County, Tenn., October 19, 1998. Interment at Crestlawn Memorial Cemetery, Cookeville, Tenn.
- Cross-reference: McCracken Poston
Omar Truman Burleson (1906-1991) — also known as Omar Burleson — of Anson, Jones County, Tex. Born in Anson, Jones County, Tex., March 19, 1906. Son of Joseph Burleson and Bettie (Couch) Burleson; married, April 21, 1929, to Ruth DeWeese. Democrat. Jones County Attorney, 1931-35; Jones County Judge, 1935-41; FBI special agent; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; U.S. Representative from Texas 17th District, 1947-79; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1964. Church of Christ. Member, Freemasons; Lions. Died in 1991. Interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Anson, Tex.
- See also: congressional biography.
Ashley Leonidas Camp, Jr. (b. 1923) — of Alabama. Born in Munford, Talladega County, Ala., July 19, 1923. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; member of Alabama state house of representatives, 1959-67. Church of Christ. Member, Farm Bureau; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Still living as of 1967.
Alexis U. Coates (1858-1943) — also known as A. U. Coates — of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Born in Excelsior, Richland County, Wis., June 21, 1858. Son of William Harvey Coates (1833-1917) and Anna French (Knowlton) Coates (1839-1923); married, August 31, 1875, to Isabel Lein. School teacher; music store manager; grocer; real estate dealer; Prohibition candidate for Governor of Iowa, 1901; Prohibition candidate for U.S. Senator from Iowa, 1936. Church of Christ. English ancestry. Member, Freemasons; Odd Fellows. Died in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, January 21, 1943. Interment at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.
Richard Hugh Everson (1945-1999) — also known as Rick Everson — of West Virginia. Born in Barbour County, W.Va., August 19, 1945. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates, 1992-99; died in office 1999. Church of Christ. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Lions. Died in Broaddus Hospital, Philippi, Barbour County, W.Va., September 1, 1999. Interment at Barbour Memorial Cemetery, Philippi, W.Va.
Joseph Landon Evins (1910-1984) — also known as Joe L. Evins — of Smithville, DeKalb County, Tenn. Born in DeKalb County, Tenn., October 24, 1910. Son of Myrtie (Goodson) Evins and James Edgar Evins; married to Ann Smartt. Democrat. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during World War II; U.S. Representative from Tennessee, 1947-77 (5th District 1947-53, 4th District 1953-77); delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1948, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968. Church of Christ. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Amvets; Forty and Eight; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Freemasons; Shriners; Elks; Lions; Phi Delta Phi; Phi Kappa Sigma. Died in 1984. Entombed in mausoleum at Smithville Town Cemetery, Smithville, Tenn.
- See also: congressional biography.
Jimmy Faulkner (b. 1916) — of Bay Minette, Baldwin County, Ala. Born in Lamar County, Ala., March 1, 1916. Democrat. Newspaper publisher; member of Alabama Democratic State Executive Committee, 1942; served in the U.S. Army during World War II; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1948, 1952 (alternate). Church of Christ. Still living as of 1952.
Ronnie Gene Flippo (b. 1937) — also known as Ronnie G. Flippo — of Florence, Lauderdale County, Ala. Born in Florence, Lauderdale County, Ala., August 15, 1937. Democrat. Accountant; member of Alabama state house of representatives, 1971-75; member of Alabama state senate, 1975-77; U.S. Representative from Alabama 5th District, 1977-91. Church of Christ. Still living as of 1998.
- See also: congressional biography.
Fred David Gray — also known as Fred D. Gray — of Montgomery, Montgomery County, Ala.; Tuskegee, Macon County, Ala. Born in Montgomery, Montgomery County, Ala. Married to Carol Porter. Democrat. Lawyer; member of Alabama state house of representatives, 1970-74; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 2000, 2004; chair of Macon County Democratic Party, 2003. Black. Church of Christ. Member, American Bar Association; American Trial Lawyers Association; Federal Bar Association; National Bar Association; NAACP. Still living as of 2006.
Junius Foy Guin (born c.1883) — also known as J. Foy Guin — of Russellville, Franklin County, Ala. Born in Russellville, Franklin County, Ala. Father of Junius Foy Guin, Jr.. Republican. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during World War I; member of Alabama Republican State Executive Committee, 1922; delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 1924, 1928, 1944, 1948, 1952. Church of Christ. Interment somewhere in Russellville, Ark.
Brett Guthrie (b. 1964) — Born February 18, 1964. Republican. Member of Kentucky state senate 32nd District, 1999-. Church of Christ. Still living as of 2004.
Kenneth Frederick Hahn (1920-1997) — also known as Kenneth Hahn; Kenny Hahn — of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Calif. Born in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Calif., August 19, 1920. Brother of Gordon R. Hahn; father of James Kenneth Hahn and Janice Kay Hahn. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1952; candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from California, 1970. Church of Christ. The Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area, the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, and the Kenneth Hahn Comprehensive Stroke and Epilepsy Center at King/Drew Hospital, are named for him. Died in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Calif., 1997. Interment at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Calif.
- See also Hahn family of California
- See also: Wikipedia article.
Sam Blakeley Hall, Jr. (1924-1994) — also known as Sam B. Hall, Jr. — of Texas. Born in Marshall, Harrison County, Tex., January 11, 1924. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; U.S. Representative from Texas 1st District, 1976-85; U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas, 1985-94. Church of Christ. Died April 10, 1994. Interment at New Grover Cemetery, Near Marshall, Harrison County, Tex.
- See also: congressional biography.
Melton D. Hancock (b. 1929) — also known as Mel Hancock — of Missouri. Born in Cape Fair, Stone County, Mo., September 14, 1929. Republican. Insurance business; candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from Missouri, 1982; candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, 1984; U.S. Representative from Missouri 7th District, 1989-97. Church of Christ. Still living as of 1998.
- See also: congressional biography; votes in Congress from the Washington Post.
Beth Harwell (b. 1957) — of Nashville, Davidson County, Tenn. Born in Norristown, Montgomery County, Pa., July 24, 1957. Republican. University professor; delegate to Republican National Convention from Tennessee, 2004; member of Tennessee state house of representatives 56th District, 2007. Female. Church of Christ. Still living as of 2007.
Archie Ray Hicks, Jr. (b. 1915) — also known as Arch Hicks, Jr. — of Ripley, Brown County, Ohio. Born in Levanna (unknown county), Ohio, October 13, 1915. Republican. Lawyer; alternate delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1948, 1960. Church of Christ. Member, Jaycees; Kiwanis. Still living as of 1960.
Barbara Richards Jackson (b. 1935) — also known as Barbara Jackson; Barbara Richards — of Nederland, Jefferson County, Tex. Born in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Tex., October 7, 1935. Daughter of William Richards and Syble (Irvin) Richards; married 1953 to Harold Floyd Jackson. Democrat. Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1972. Female. Church of Christ. Still living as of 1973.
Ellis Carl Kays (b. 1890) — of Petersburg, Pike County, Ind. Born in Pike County, Ind., July 7, 1890. Republican. Pike County Recorder, 1930-38; mayor of Petersburg, Ind., 1939-43; chair of Pike County Republican Party, 1941-44. Church of Christ. Burial location unknown.
Delbert Leroy Latta (b. 1920) — also known as Delbert Latta — of Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio. Born in Weston, Wood County, Ohio, March 5, 1920. Married to Mary Rose Kiene; father of Robert E. Latta. Republican. Lawyer; member of Ohio state senate, 1953-58; U.S. Representative from Ohio 5th District, 1959-89; delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1968, 1976. Church of Christ. Still living as of 1998.
- See also: congressional biography.
George Sidney Marshall (1869-1956) — also known as George S. Marshall — of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Born in Corning, Perry County, Ohio, January 29, 1869. Son of George Marshall and Theresa (Maxwell) Marshall; married, October 14, 1903, to Alice Badgley. Lawyer; mayor of Columbus, Ohio, 1910-11. Church of Christ. Member, Freemasons; Odd Fellows; Redmen; Royal Arcanum; Woodmen. Died in 1956. Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.
Keith McDonald — of Bartlett, Shelby County, Tenn. Insurance business; mayor of Bartlett, Tenn., 2003-. Church of Christ. Still living as of 2003.
Edson V. Root, Jr. (1903-1971) — of Bangor, Van Buren County, Mich. Born in Bangor, Van Buren County, Mich., August 27, 1903. Son of Edson V. Root, Sr.; married 1937 to Frieda Shaefer. Republican. Fruit farmer; member of Michigan Republican State Central Committee, 1948-50; member of Michigan state house of representatives, 1953-71 (Van Buren County 1953-64, 54th District 1965-71); died in office 1971. Church of Christ. Member, Farm Bureau; Freemasons; Shriners. Died in 1971. Burial location unknown.
Henry Floyd Sherrod (b. 1890) — also known as H. Floyd Sherrod — of Decatur, Morgan County, Ala. Born in Florence, Lauderdale County, Ala., December 6, 1890. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1932, 1948, 1952. Church of Christ. Member, Farm Bureau; American Legion; Civitan; Kappa Delta Pi. Burial location unknown.
E. L. Simpson (b. 1895) — of Clarksburg, Harrison County, W.Va.; Mt. Clare, Harrison County, W.Va. Born in Pendleton County, W.Va., September 9, 1895. Son of Joseph L. Simpson and Cora D. (Keister) Simpson; married, August 28, 1921, to Lela A. Sommerville. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War I; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Harrison County, 1939-42; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1952. Church of Christ. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Odd Fellows. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
Roy Smith (b. 1924) — of Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw County, Mich.; Saline, Washtenaw County, Mich. Born in Livingston, Overton County, Tenn., February 12, 1924. Republican. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II; supervisor of Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, 1959-66; member of Michigan state house of representatives 52nd District, 1967-72, 1975-82; defeated, 1962 (Washtenaw County 2nd District), 1972 (22nd District); candidate for Michigan state senate 18th District, 1982. Baptist or Church of Christ. Member, American Legion; Freemasons. Still living as of 1982.
Kenneth N. Springer (1945-2000) — also known as Pete Springer — of Centerville, Hickman County, Tenn. Born in Lyles, Hickman County, Tenn., February 27, 1945. School teacher; member of Tennessee state senate 25th District, 1981-82, 1991-2000; died in office 2000. Church of Christ. Member, Freemasons; Knights Templar; Shriners. Died, apparently of heart disease, in Nashville, Davidson County, Tenn., April 12, 2000. Interment at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, Centerville, Tenn.
Harlan Whitney Thomas (b. 1908) — also known as Harlan Thomas — of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn. Born in Michie, McNairy County, Tenn., August 5, 1908. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1948. Church of Christ. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Rotary. Still living as of 1950.
Raymond Hoyt Thornton, Jr. (b. 1928) — also known as Ray Thornton — of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Ark.; Sheridan, Grant County, Ark. Born in Conway, Faulkner County, Ark., July 16, 1928. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict; lawyer; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arkansas, 1960; delegate to Arkansas state constitutional convention, 1969-70; Arkansas state attorney general, 1971-73; U.S. Representative from Arkansas, 1973-79, 1991-97 (4th District 1973-79, 2nd District 1991-97); candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from Arkansas, 1978; president, Arkansas State University, 1980-84; president, University of Arkansas, 1984-90; justice of Arkansas state supreme court, 1997-. Church of Christ. Still living as of 1999.
- See also: congressional biography; votes in Congress from the Washington Post.
G. E. Van Wert (b. 1880) — of Hampton, Franklin County, Iowa. Born in Grundy County, Iowa, August 13, 1880. Son of J. S. Van Wert and Elizabeth (Rose) Van Wert; married, December 25, 1903, to Mabel Hansell. Republican. Farmer; member of Iowa state house of representatives, 1929-39; director, Mutual Telephone Company. Church of Christ. Member, Farm Bureau. Burial location unknown.
Amos Richard Webber (1852-1948) — also known as Amos R. Webber — of Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio. Born in Hinckley, Medina County, Ohio, January 21, 1852. Republican. Common pleas court judge in Ohio, 1901-04, 1922-35; U.S. Representative from Ohio 14th District, 1904-07. Church of Christ. Died in Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio, February 25, 1948. Interment at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Elyria, Ohio.
- See also: congressional biography.
Lynn Boyd Wells (b. 1893) — also known as Lynn B. Wells — of West Liberty, Morgan County, Ky. Born in West Liberty, Morgan County, Ky., January 29, 1893. Son of Edward Granvil Wells and Arzelda (Keeton) Wells; married to Jewel D. Johnson. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; lawyer; elected Kentucky state house of representatives 75th District 1955. Church of Christ. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Disabled American Veterans; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
John D. Westwood (b. 1944) — also known as Jack Westwood — of Crescent Springs, Kenton County, Ky. Born March 6, 1944. Republican. School teacher; member of Kentucky state senate 23rd District, 1997-. Church of Christ. Still living as of 2004.
Alan Dupree Wheat (b. 1951) — also known as Alan D. Wheat — of Kansas City, Jackson County, Mo. Born in San Antonio, Bexar County, Tex., October 16, 1951. Democrat. Economist; member of Missouri state house of representatives, 1977-82; U.S. Representative from Missouri 5th District, 1983-95; candidate for U.S. Senator from Missouri, 1994. Black. Church of Christ. Still living as of 2002.
- See also: congressional biography; votes in Congress from the Washington Post.

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