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Obituaries » Columbus Gregory Presley

Columbus Gregory Presley

March 3, 1931 - October 2, 2022

U.S. Veteran

Visitation for Greg will be on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at 11:00am with a service to follow at 12pm at Central Florida Casket Store and Funeral Chapel 2090 East Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33803

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Columbus Gregory Presley was born March 3, 1931 in Cordele, Georgia to Maude and Jesse F. Presley. During his mother’s pregnancy she was told that she would not be able to deliver her baby and survive. The doctor advised her to abort. She told Greg upon his surrender to the ministry that she had prayed to God that He would allow her to raise the child and if He did, she would dedicate her life to leading Greg to give himself to God in whatever service God called him to do. God granted that prayer and she faithfully fulfilled her part of the bargain.

Greg graduated from High School in Graceville, Florida in 1949. H enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and served until January of 1961. During these 10 years he completed his college work by attending night classes, taking courses from the Armed Forces Institute, and through the CLEPT program.

Greg was ordained by Parkland Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington to become the pastor of Packwood Baptist Church in Packwood, Washington. Graduating in 1964 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1964 he was called to Fellowship Baptist Church near Ocala, Florida. Later he served Main Street Baptist Church in Inverness, Florida. He served the King Hill Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri until he had to leave for health reasons. Upon returning to Florida he became director of the Career Training Institute in Orlando.

Greg returned to the ministry in 1969 as pastor of Ft. Christmas Baptist Church near Orlando. Later he served as Associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Chipley, Florida. Greg entered into full-time Evangelism in 1973 with his son Earl and David Phillips of Classics IV fame. They conducted 28 revivals in that year with 684 Professions of faith. Greg retired to Winter Haven, Florida singing Gospel music and writing. He was honored as the Florida Gospel Music Post “Instrumentalist of the Year” in 2016.

He is survived by his only son Rev. Earl G. Presley, retired in Palm Coast, FL; his Sister, Marion Rainey of Bartow, FL; 2 grandchildren Lauren and Jesse Presley in Kilgore, TX; a Great Grandchild, Lilith, also in Kilgore, TX along with several Nieces and Nephews.