TheHomegoing Celebration for 
Rev. Alvin W. Gilchrist 
 
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Saturday, 21 October, 2006 3:00 P.M. 
First Metropolitan Baptist Church 3719 Belair Road 
Augusta, Georgia 30909 
Reverend Dr. Albert James, Presiding Reverend Enoch Ward, Jr., Pastor 
 
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 OBITUARY 
On Sunday morning October 15, 2006, a guardian angel was dispatched to guide Rev. Alvin W Gilchrist, a servant o f God, on his journey to be with his heavenlyfather. 
Rev. Alvin W. Gilchrist was bom in Burke County, Georgia, August 13, 1932 to the late Jordan and Pearl C. Gilchrist o f Waynesboro', GA. Alvin received his education in the Burke County school system. As a young man, he moved his mother and siblings to Augusta, GA.. Alvin was employed as an instructor at the T. W. Josey High School's Auto Mechanic Vocational program and was one o f thefirstfour African American deputy sheriffs in Richmond County during the 1960's - 1970's. Because o f his lovefo r cars, he eventually opened his own auto mechanic business where he worked until retirement.. 
At an early age, he confessed a beliefin Christ and united with McElmurray Spring Branch Baptist Church where he served in the choir and later as the chairman o f the board o f deacons. 
In 1983, God gave him a charge and he entered into the ministry: He was ordained and served as the son o f the house at McElmurray Tabernacle Baptist Church. Rev. Gilchrist has spread the gospel throughout Georgia and South Carolina. In 1993, he united with * First Metropolitan Baptist Church and served as the Associate pastor until his untimely death. 
 
 OBITUARY 
 
Fond memories are cherished by his loving and devoted wife o f 31 years, Mrs. OlaM. Gilchrist, three daughters, Gail G. (William) Coleman o f F&irburn, GA.., Niranda T. Gilchrist and Alvitene Gilchrist both o f Augusta, GA., One Son, James L. (Chandra) Gilchrist o f Fairburn, GA.; Grandson Jordan A. Lamar, Fairburn, GA. One stepdaughter, Ernestine (Allen) Butler, Miramae, FI, two stepsons, Kenneth (Deborah) Turk and Steven (Anita) Herrington all O fAugusta, GA. Fifteen stepgrandchildren and seven step-great-Grandchildren. One sister, Elease Brinson o fAugusta, GA., brothers John E. (Joanne) Gilchrist, Augusta, GA.,andFrank (Lillian) Eunice, St. Louis, MO. Sister-in-laws, Juanita (Solomon) Adebayo and Janie (Willie) McLeod, both O fHollywood, FL., Bertha (Charlie) Brown, and Mary (James) Brown all o fJamaica, NY. Thelma Gilchrist o fAugusta, GA.; brother-in-laws, Richard (Thelma) Kelly, Jr., Augusta, GA., Etory (Geraldine) Kelly, Jamaica, NY., Jimmie Kelly, Savannah, GA., and Lewis Kelly o fHollywood, FL.; a special nephew, Matthew Kelly, a devotedfriend, James Britt and a host o f nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives andfriends. 
 
 To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me 
"When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. 
You must not tie yourself to me with tears, Be happy that we had so many years. 
I gave you my love -y o u can only guess How much you gave me in happiness. 
1 thank you fo r the love you each have shown But now it is time I traveled on alone. 
So grieve awhile for me, i f grieve you must, Then let your g riefbe comforted by trust. I t 's onlyfo r a while that we must part. So bless the memories within your heart. I won 'i be fa r away for life goes on. So ifyou need me, call and I will come, 
Though you can 't see me or touch me, I 'll be near And ifyou listen with your heart, you will hear, 
All o f my love aroundyou, soft and clear. And then, when you must come this way alone, I 'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home. ' 
 
 Order o f Service 
 
Rev. Dr. Albert James, Presiding Rev. Enoch Ward, Jr., Officiating 
 
PROCESSIONAL 
SELECTION SCRIPTURES 
The O ld Testament 
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The New Testament k 
IN V O C A T IO N 
 
M s Jacqueline K yler/ Dr. D avid Yates 
Choir, F irst M etropolitan B aptist Church 
Dr. E. T. M artin, Pastor, Springfield B aptist Church 
Rev. J.L Stokes, Pastor, Second Shiloh B aptist Church 
Rev. Edward Blueford, Pastor M cElmurray Tabernacle B aptist Church 
 
TRIBUTES Church M ember M inister Fam ilyfrien d S iste r-in -la w As a Son 
 
SOLO 
 
OBITUARY 
4 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
 
 
 
S E L E C T IO N 
 
WORDS OF COMFORT 
 
RECESSIONAL 
 
(LIM IT 2 MINUTES PLEASE) D ea Joseph Canada Rev. Jackson Parks Mr. Dwayane H ull M rs Gearldine Kelly Mr. James L. Gilchrist 
Mr. Richmond Davis 
(READ SILENTLY WITH SOFT MUSIC) 
M s Irene Canada 
Choir, F irst M etropolitan B aptist Church 
Rev. Enoch Ward, Jr., Pastor F irst M etropolitan B aptist Church 
M s Jacqueline Kyler / Dr. D avid Yates 
 
INTERM ENT REPAST 
 
Walker M em orial Gardens F irst M etropolitan B aptist Church 
 
 My Last Request 
Please don't say I gave up, just say that I gave in. D on't say 1 lost the battle, for it was God's war to lose or win. 
Please don't say how good I was, but that I did my best. Just say I tried to do what's right, To give the most I could, not do less. 
Please don't give me wings or halos, that's for God to do. I want no more than 1 deserve, no extras, just my due. Please don't give flowers, or talk in harsh tones. D on't be concerned about me now, I'm well with God, 1've made it home. 
Don't talk about what could have been, i t 's over and i t 's done. Just see to all myfam ily's needs, the battle has been won. When you draw a picture o f me, don't draw me as a saint, 
I've done some good, I've done some wrong, so use all your paint. Notjust the bright and light ones, use some gray and dark In fact, don 't put me down on canvas paint me in your heart. Don'tjust remember all the good times, but remember all the bad. For life isfull o f many things, some happy and some sad. But ifyou must do something, then I have one last request 
Forgive mefor the wrongs 1've done and with the love that's left Thank Godfor my soul's resting. Thank Godfor all who loved me. Praise God who loved me best. 
 
  PALLBEARERS 
 
Active 
 
Michael Kelly Richard K ellylll Bernard Kelly 
 
Michael Gilchrist David Drayton James Britt 
 
Honorary 
 
M inisters 
 
Deacons, First Metropolitan Baptist Church 
 
Deaconess, First Metropolitan Baptist Church 
 
Flower Bearers 
 
Ushers 
 
Friends 
 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
Thefam ily o fReverend Alvin W. Gilchrist wishes to extend heartfelt thanksfo r the cards, calls, food, visits, prayers and all other acts o f kindness that have been shown towards ourfam ily during this time o f bereavement. Thankyoufo r surrounding us, supporting us and lifting us during this transitionalperiod in our lives. May God bless each o fyou and heaven shine upon you. 
 
Services Entrusted to: CA. Reid, Sr. Memorial Funeral Home 
Augusta, Georgia