Teachers of the Friendly Bible Class

Currently Teaching:

Dr. David Nichols: Dr. Nichols has been teaching Sunday School and Bible studies every year since 1974.

Initially he taught in Marvin's Youth Department, then 10 years with the Seeker's adult class, and the last 15 years with the Friendly Class. Dr. Nichols, a Tyler dentist, has also led medical mission teams to Belize and Guatemala for 30 continuous years providing free medical and dental care to the Mayan Indians and other native residents. Here in East Texas he organizes periodic "Texas Mission of Mercy" charity medical-dental clinics for the financially disadvantaged. Teaching the Bible is still his favorite hobby.

Tom Woldert, realtor, and Mike Carroll, attorney, are the regular substitute teachers for the Friendly Class.

Past Teachers:

Mastin G. White: He was one of the early teachers, but probably not the only one. Mr. White was a former Judge for the U. S. Court of Claims in Washington D. C. His brother, Jack White, is a current member of the Class.

Galloway Calhoun: In March of 1930, Mr. Calhoun returned from Austin, Texas, where he was First Assistant Attorney General of the State of Texas. He began teaching the Class on March 23, 1930 and continued until April of 1962, when he died speaking in Little Rock, Arkansas.

It is said that Galloway could open the Bible or Cokesbury Hymnal at random, select a phrase, and teach a complete lesson from it. He was a gifted orator and leader, as evidenced by his success in bringing people into the Class, including many from other churches. Judge Calhoun held many high offices at Marvin and in the Masonic Orders and was listed in the Who’s Who in Methodism for many years.

Many notable speakers visited the Class through the efforts of Galloway Calhoun. They included comedian, Harold Lloyd; Cecil B. Demille, producer, at that time, of 70 motion pictures; baseball and football greats, Ty Cobb and Red Grange; Jimmy Doolittle; and Bishops of the Texas and other Methodist Conferences.

Harry Loftis: Shortly after Galloway Calhoun’s death Judge Harry Loftis, a graduate of the University of Texas and at that time a member of another Methodist church, was persuaded to take over the teaching responsibility at Marvin.

When approached about the “job” at Marvin he not only was surprised but also somewhat reluctant to leave a smaller church. He sought advice from Rufus Beard, a former pastor of St. Paul, who urged him to accept the challenge. Pastor Beard, then 91, was on the front row when Harry taught his first lesson at Marvin on July 1, 1962.

Harry had heard Galloway on two occasions and was quick to admit that he was not another Galloway and would not attempt to imitate him. They were, in fact, very different. Whereas Galloway would often rush to the Class from the Dallas airport, Harry would arrive unrushed, after a long Saturday night of painstaking preparation. He had his own way of getting the message across and was very good at it.

Shortly after his “retirement” on June 29, 1975, the Class honored him by presenting him an original painting by A. C. Gentry of the cabin on his deer lease. It was inscribed, “Harry Loftis, Beloved Teacher 1962-75. Friendly Bible Class.”

During most of the remainder of 1975 several members and guests served the Class. In December of 1975, Judge Galloway Calhoun, Jr. began a little over three years of service as the regular teacher. When he asked to be relieved a “teacher pool” took over and continued through 1981. The “pool” included Gene Autrey, Jack Jackson, Judge Milton Mell, Mike Bonner, Harry Loftis, and Jack White.

But the Judge wasn’t through. When Rev. Jester White became the teacher he asked Harry to help him out by teaching once a month. Then, Rev. White retired in December of 1986, the Class again persuaded Harry to assume the full time teaching responsibility. This tour of duty continued until mid 1992 when he retired for the second time.

Reverend Jester White: (It’s Reverend Doctor but he preferred the shorter title.) Rev. White took over the reins in January of 1982. He was born in Coffeyville, Texas, graduated from Centenery College, and started preaching in 1929. His first assignment was the Nash Circuit, which included eight small churches near Texarkana. His annual salary for those eight churches was $400.

Jester’s humor, wit and down to earth interpretation of the Scriptures endeared him to all. He was dearly loved as evidenced by the celebration of his 90th birthday on August 29, 1994. Approximately 260 of his friends and family joined the celebration.

Rev. White not only taught the Friendly Bible Class but also was one of its most verbal boosters right up to the time of his death on March 27, 1997.