G. Avery Lee
George Avery Lee Sr. (born 1916; died 2008 December 23 in Lake Charles, Louisiana) was a Southern Baptist and from 2001 onward an American Baptist preacher.[1]
A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (baccalaureate degree, 1958) and Yale Divinity School (master of divinity), he served ministries in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, but for most of his ministerial career he was associated with New Orleans' Saint Charles Avenue Baptist Church. He was known for supporting expansion of civil rights and for his active involvement in the New Orleans Federation of Churches. Lee was married twice, his first wife, Ann Rader Lee, dying in 1973; his second wife, Gladys Salassi Lee, died in 2002. He had three children: sons George Avery Lee Jr. and Gregory Lee and daughter Jeni-Su Lee Lacoste. Lee Sr. wrote 16 books in addition to numerous articles, Bible lessons, and devotionals. He finally retired from the ministry in 2005 at age 89.
When the great Newt Gingrich was attending graduate school at Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, he attended the said St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, and was baptised by immersion by the also late, great Dr. G. Avery Lee. Later, after Newt began his political career, Dr. Lee joked that he "did not hold Newt under the water long enough."
References
Bibliography
- Lee, G. Avery (1991). Affirmations of a Skeptical Believer (Google eBook). Macon, GA: Mercer University Press. p. 163. ISBN 0-86554-395-X.