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FROM THE BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS BY DAVID MONTGOMERY AND MARK GREEN:
ELDER M. R. ALTOM
WRITTEN BY MARK GREEN: Elder Marion Riley Altom was born in 1916 in Buckner, Arkansas, in Lafayette County, the son of Marion Hampton and Ola Gertrude Swindell Altom. At the age of 15 he joined the Missionary Baptists.Two of his brothers held to the beliefs of the Primitive Baptists, and would frequently discuss the doctrine with him. He began to search for the truth. Finally, one night about midnight while he was reading, the truth of election was revealed to him, and John 3:16 was the first text in which he saw its beauty. He immediately woke his wife to tell her about it, and then walked a mile and a half to tell his parents, feeling sure they would rejoice in it ashe had, but that was not the case. In 1951 he joined First Church of Dallas,and was baptized by Elder J. P. Dale. Soon afterward he began taking a public part in the worship service. His first text was James 1:17. In 1952 Elder Altom was ordained, with Elder Dale preaching the charge.
Elder Altom has served Bethlehem Church in Dallas, Old School Church in Ft. Worth, and New Hope Church of Tulsa (now in Broken Arrow), Oklahoma. He resigned the care of New Hope in November of 1999, his last sermon to them as pastor being Jeremiah 6:16: "Ask for the old paths." Elder Altom and his faithful helpmeet, Sister Frances, live in Irving, Texas. ELDER ALTOM WRITES: I joined the Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 16. The Lord revealed the doctrine of grace to me one night while searching for the truth. He opened my blind eyes to see Him as the only way of salvation. I walked that night two miles to tell my parents what the Lord had made known to me. It was so plain to me. I thought I could show the truth to every one. I found out the only way anyone could know the truth was the same way that He showed me Christ must be revealed in us. What a wonderful time I had that night. I was delivered from the law in my experience. Never have I gone to Moses and the Law to be justified. I found out Moses was dead and buried. I began to love the doctrine of free grace. It has been my comfort all these years. If I perish I will perish at His feet.
APRIL 29, 2013 From Brother Ronnie Mallow
Sister Frances Altom
- On Saturday, (April 27, 2013) a precious Mother-in-Israel, Sis. Frances Altom, peacefully passed from this life and into the arms of her awaiting Savior. This was an answer to many prayers, as she was fully reconciled to His will and longed to be with the Lord. She was such a familiar face at our local Church meetings, until just last year when because of health issues, she wasn’t able to travel as much. Still, when she was able to attend Church, the membership made sure she had a ride and could be there. May the Lord bless the Old School Primitive Baptist Church and the family of Sis. Altom during this sad – but blessed time. How truly thankful we should be that there is another beautiful voice singing in heaven, this very moment. Her life has now begun and we bow to a great and merciful God for blessing us with her during our lives.
Sis. Frances Bell (McCombs) Altom was born on April 30, 1921 in Dallas, Texas to Earl & Bonnie McCombs. At age 19, she fell in love with her lifetime companion, Marion Riley (M.R.) Altom. The two obtained their marriage license on October 4, 1940 and began a marriage that would last until Bro. Altom’s passing over 60 years later. They were blessed with two daughters, Sandra Jean, born on November 30, 1942 and Patricia Kay, who was born on November 26, 1946.
Sis. Frances joined the Church on August 10, 1952 in Dallas, Texas. Her late husband, Elder M.R. Altom, had been liberated to preach on April 12, 1952 and he was later ordained to the ministry on Sunday, November 23, 1952 at the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas. The minutes state that Bro. Walter Blackmon was chosen as Church Spokesman, while Elder A.D. Wood conducted the interrogation, Elder R.E. “Bob” Wilson delivered the Ordination Prayer and Elder W.W. Fowler, pastor of the Church delivered the Charge. At the conclusion of the Ordination, the Church voted to give Elder Altom the first Sunday appointment each month. Elder Altom would later serve as pastor of the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, as well as the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas and the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Now Broken Arrow). In October of 1973, the Old School Primitive Baptist Church in Fort Worth called him as pastor. He and Sis. Altom would faithfully attend the Old School Church until each was blessed to be called home and forever be with the Lord..
The Altom’s lived in Irving, Texas for over 60 years and were only separated by Bro. Altom’s passing in September of 2002. Sis. Altom was preceded in death by daughter Sandra and is survived by her daughter Patricia, along with grandchildren and a large, thankful Church family who cherished her for many generations. |
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