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FROM THE BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF PRIMITIVE OR OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MINISTERS BY DAVID MONTGOMERY AND MARK GREEN with Ronnie Mallow updates:
ELDER GEORGE HYLTON CRAIN
Hylton Crain, was born February 5, 1919 in Farmers Valley a few miles north west of Vernon, Texas; a son of Willie and Myrtle (Moore) Crain, the third child of a family of four. Both maternal and paternal grandparents were membersof the Primitive Baptist Church. His father, Willie Crain was baptized in his seventy first year, almost four years before his death, March 9, 1963. The Willieand Myrtle Crain family was poor indeed as far as material things, but they were rich because of belief and faith in God. The Bible was read and prayer was offered up, occasionally a Primitive Baptist minister preached in their home. Poverty, though very real, was not a great stumbling block, because the family was united in love!
The following is a direct quote from brother Crain, "As a child I was often disobedient, and rebellious. At nine years of age it was made known to me, that my ways, words, and thoughts were contrary, to the Holy, and loving God; while out in the field, taking the name of God in vain, and speaking against the authority of my dear father and mother, if not deceived the power of God taught me and lovingly rebuked me. This experience not only convinced and convicted me of sin, it also gave me the realization, the Great I Am, knew my every thought. From that time until now, my sins have caused me to mourn.” Because of the great depression and Dust Bowl Days of the early and mid-thirties, a young seventeen year old left Colorado and moved to Headrick, Oklahoma, to live with his older brother and wife, Mr. & Mrs. E. U. Crain. There he finished high school, and met Miss Neva Jo Marsh, whom he married in Blair, Oklahoma on May 28, 1938. On July 25, 1943, in the afternoon service, prayer was offered by brother Marvin Sims, (now Elder) preaching by Elders Tom Elliott, and D. A Layne. Hylton Crain asked for membership and baptism, and to his joy was gladly received. Oh that wonderful day! There was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit; and divine love touched the hearts of a small congregation long to be remembered. Baptism was administered by Elder D. A. Layne on August 11, 1943. His first Text was Deut. 32:9. Wanders Creek Church in Odell, Texas licensed him to preach whereever he felt the Lord was leading on June 1, 1946. A year later he was ordained to the full work of the ministry in June 30, 1947, in Tipton, Oklahoma. Neva Jo and Hylton are the parents of three daughters, and two sons, the youngest forty-six, and the oldest fifty-nine. In the past years he has served churches in the following cities: in Oklahoma, Tipton, Marlow, and Mountain View. In Texas: Rule, and Arlington. They have membership in the First Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas. Brother Crain, age eighty-one, is presently pastor of Cornish Church in Wilson, Oklahoma.
The following is from Ronnie Mallow
The Passing of Sis. Neva Jo Crain
June 25, 1922 - April 30, 2013
Elder G.H. Crain came to Church at Dallas today, but something was different. For the first time in 75 years, he was without his precious companion Sis. Neva Jo being a part of his everyday walk. Last Tuesday, Sis. Neva Jo went home. Her walk completed in this life, she was blessed to close her eyes in death and immediately open them in the richness and perfection of a victorious Savior’s presence. Her trials and frailty ended, her eternal life begun.
No one understands this, nor clings to this precious truth more than Elder Crain. Yes, he mourns the loss of his wife, but he also rejoices in the sweet truth of where she is. In their 75 years together, they have seen and experienced so much. The Lord truly blessed them with His providential care, as during the days of the Great Depression and infamous “Dust Bowl”, a 17 year old George Hylton Crain, moved from Colorado to Headrick, Oklahoma. Living with his brother and sister-in-law, Elder Crain finished High School and met the lovely young Miss Neva Jo Marsh. They would marry in Blair, Oklahoma on May 28, 1938.
The two would grow in grace together, as both would be baptized into the Primitive Baptist Church in their 20’s. Elder Crain in 1943, by Elder D.A. Layne and Sis. Neva Jo later, by Elder Marvin Smith. Always together and faithful servants in the cause of Christ. Living in Oklahoma and then Texas, Elder Crain would be ordained to the ministry in 1947 and serve as pastor for Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church in Rule, Texas, the Bethesda Primitive Baptist Church in Mountain View, Oklahoma, the Cornish Primitive Baptist Church in Wilson, Oklahoma and the Paradise Primitive Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.
In these past years, as Sis. Neva Jo’s steps began to slow and her body to grow ever so frail – Elder Crain was a true husband. Their love continuing to grow for each other, he was always by her side. To visit her at home was to see a smiling, happy Mother-in-Israel, in the care of a loving and faithful husband. Making sure she had onsite care on Sunday morning’s, he would come to Church and worship the Lord. Often, as soon as services had concluded, he was outside on his cell phone calling to check on his precious bride. This day was different however, as he awoke on the Lord’s day and just didn’t feel he could come to Church. It had been a long and trying week, and he is still very much grieving. Then Elder Crain got out his bible and as he began to read. It wasn’t long before he realized – that he needed to come to Church. Just as Abraham was a “stranger and sojourner” and still continued to walk after the loss of his wife Sarah – so will Elder Crain. Abraham buried Sarah, still carrying his love for her – but knowing he still needed to live and serve the Lord. Elder Crain will bury Sis. Neva Jo tomorrow, still carrying his love for her – but also still living and serving the Lord. A true husband, a true servant in the cause of Christ.
The Passing of Elder George Hylton Crain
February 5, 1919 – January 4, 2017 |
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