Dr. Kermit Dale McGregor Sr.

Dr. Kermit D. McGregor, Pastor of Cooke Memorial Baptist Church, entered heaven on December 10, 2015, while in Hospice care at North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo. Kermit, a lifelong Southern Baptist Minister, began preaching at age 16 and served for 60 years. He was married to Phyllis McCoy in 1955, and they began their ministry in Pontotoc County while still in high school. Kermit was a graduate of Algoma High School; he and Phyllis were the first married couple to graduate from Blue Mountain College. He earned his Masters of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and was awarded two honorary Doctorate degrees from William Carey University and Blue Mountain College. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2001. He has served as Pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Thompson Baptist Church, Ingomar Baptist Church, First Baptist Bruce, First Baptist Winona, Temple Baptist in Hattiesburg, Morrison Heights in Clinton, First Baptist Mendenhall, Daniel Memorial Baptist in Jackson, and Cooke Memorial in Pontotoc County. After retiring from full-time pastorate, Kermit served as Transitional Pastor for First Baptist Starkville, Poplar Springs Baptist Meridian, Calvary Baptist Tupelo, and Hillcrest Baptist New Albany. During the mid 1980’s, Kermit served as the first Director of Public Relations for the Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village. He has served as President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, as a Trustee for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, Chairman of the Education Commission for the Mississippi Baptist Convention, and most recently as a Trustee for William Carey University. Kermit received a heart transplant in June 1994 at Emory University Medical Center in Atlanta. God provided an extension of life for over 21 years through this medical procedure and His divine wisdom. Thousands of people throughout the state have come to know Jesus as their Savior because of the life and ministry of Kermit both pre and post transplant.

Kermit and Phyllis have two children Lisa Williamson (Jimmy) of Pontotoc, MS and Dale McGregor (Tina) of Cabot, AR. Seven grandchildren Kristen Williamson Bishop (Matthew), Nolon Saucier (Tiffany), Les McGregor, Madison McGregor (Kelcie), Lane Willliamson, Courtney McGregor, Maggie Williamson, and two great grandchildren Matthew Grayson Bishop and Asher Barron McGregor. Kermit was preceded in death by his parents Lesley Guy McGregor, Opal Ard McGregor, and sister Kallie Sue McGregor. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Keith C. McGregor of Oxford and sister Brenda Kay Franklin (James) of Tupelo.

Public visitation is Sunday December 13 from 1:30-4:30PM in the Family Life Center and Monday December 14 from 9-11AM in the Sanctuary at West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc MS. Services will be Monday December 14 at 11AM in the Sanctuary. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will follow in Old Monroe Cemetery in Pontotoc County, MS.

Expressions of love can be made to William Carey University or Blue Mountain College.