Reverend John Evans Preacher, Jr.

Reverend John Evans Preacher Jr, was the third child and only son born to Mr. and Mrs. John Preacher Sr. of Bamberg, South Carolina. Reverend Preacher departed this life on Monday, May 25, 2020, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Reverend Preacher grew up in the city of Bamberg, South Carolina where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age. He was baptized at Honey Ford Baptist Church, located in Denmark, South Carolina. He attended public schools and graduated from Richard Carroll Memorial High School, located in Bamberg, South Carolina. He matriculated to Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English and a minor in Social Studies. Reverend Preacher earned the Master of Education Degree in English Education from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He also earned the Master’s
degree in English from The University of South Carolina, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Reverend Preacher married his high school sweetheart, the former Modestine Franklin. There were two children born to this union, Antony Preacher and Chanda Mirette (Edward) Hill. Before her passing, they were married for forty-one years. 

With reference to seminary training, he pursued graduate studies at the (ITC) Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia where he earned the Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Counseling. Before being called into the ministry, Reverend Preacher was an ordained Deacon at the
Antioch Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia where he was also licensed to preach. Rev. Preacher pastored churches to include, Lockhart Missionary Baptist Church, located in Saluda, South Carolina. While under his leadership major renovations were made and a new church edifice was constructed. There is a stone marking located on the church in his name, dating the reconstruction. He also pastored Bethlehem Baptist Church Newberry, South Carolina. Second Union Baptist Church Columbia, South Carolina. McBranch Baptist Church Branchville, South Carolina, and Greater Carolina Baptist Church Columbia, South Carolina. He was one of the Associate Pastors at First Calvary in Columbia before his passing. Reverend Preacher was in the ministry for forty-seven years.

Reverend Preacher was an extensive traveler in the continental United States and abroad. Having visited principal cities in the following countries: Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and the British Crowned Colony of Gibraltar.

Reverend Preacher was a Beloved and Distinguished high school and college educator. He was an educator in Southwest Georgia prior to residing in Augusta, Georgia. While in Augusta, he earned the title of Teacher of the year. After his tenure at T.W. Josey High School, Reverend Preacher moved his family to Columbia and he became a Professor of English at Benedict College. He educated students for over thirty years. Prior to his retirement from Benedict College, Reverend Preacher was a tenured member of the English faculty. One of his favorite words of endearment to his students that were late for class was “You’re too late for today and too early for tomorrow”. He was also an Associate Professor of English at Allen University.

Reverend Preacher was preceded in death by his wife Mrs. Modestine Franklin Preacher. He leaves to mourn and cherish precious memories his loving and devoted children, Antony Preacher and Chanda Mirette (Edward) Hill; four grandchildren, Antony Preacher II, Xavier T. Preacher, Justice J. Hill, and Autumn-Grace Modest Hill; great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

One of Reverend Preacher’s many biblical passages; “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

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