Reverend O. Sidney Gresham passed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on March 23 at Savannah Court of Newnan with the reassuring presence of his family who had gathered by his side. He was 95 years of age and succumbed to the effects of congestive heart failure. Reverend Gresham was born in Lincolnton, Georgia on September 11, 1916, and was the son of the late Omar Samuel Gresham and Mary Helen (Mae) Fuller Gresham. Preceding him in death were his parents and his siblings, Helen Gresham Brown, Evelyn Gresham Cartledge, Camille Gresham, John Fuller Gresham and Frank Merritt Gresham. Reverend Gresham was educated at Lincolnton High School, Norman Junior College, Mercer University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He did pre-college studies at Atlanta Bible Institute and Atlanta Baptist Pastors' School. Between high school and college, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed at Robertstown, Georgia. He attended several reunions throughout the years and continued his personal contacts with several members for a number of years. March 30, 1940 marked the date that Reverend Gresham married the love of his life, Cora Lee Jackson. On March 30th of this year they would have celebrated 72 years of marriage. She would be an integral part of his service and ministry during their years together. During his many years in the ministry, Reverend Gresham pastored 13 churches in Georgia. It was in these years that he served as president of the Pastors' Conference in the Thomas County Association and also served as the Moderator of the Roswell Association. In 1964, he was appointed as Director of Missions for the Western Baptist Association. His retirement was on December 31, 1984 after 20 years of leadership. As director of Missions he served as secretary of the Georgia Baptist Associational Missionaries Fellowship. Retirement offered new opportunities for Reverend Gresham and he operated Gresham Printing for several years. He was self-taught in this profession and served as a mentor to several people in the Coweta County area. At one time he was joined in his business by his granddaughter Ashley and grandson-in-law, Delmar. He became interested in beekeeping in 1987 and, at times, managed as many as 30 hives which were located in various areas in Coweta County. He was the founding president of the Coweta Beekeepers Association in 1999 and was named Beekeeper of the Year in 2000. He was the editor of the "Bee Buzz" newsletter. He also gave lectures on beekeeping to many local school children. Again, he was a mentor to those that wanted to get into the "bee" business. His entrepreneurial nature helped him turn his hobby into a profitable enterprise by selling the honey. His customers always looked forward to seeing his " Honey for Sale" sign in his yard every year. In 2003, Cora and Sidney made the move to Savannah Court of Newnan. It was there that they came to be loved and cherished and their lives nurtured by the wonderful care and genuine friendships of the staff at their new home away from home. In addition to his beloved wife, Cora, Reverend Gresham is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry Sidney and Martha P. Gresham; Larry Lee and Rita B. Gresham. His grandchildren are David and Momoko Gresham, Kandi and Delmar Prowant, Kim and Mike McDonald, Neill Gresham and Ashley and Steve Stollar. The great grandchildren are Austin and Mitchell Prowant, Kyle and Matthew McDonald, Sidney Gresham and Charlotte Stollar. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews as well as the extended Edge and Purcell families. The funeral service for Reverend Gresham will be on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Newnan. Reverend Searcy Jackson and Dr. Jimmy Patterson will officiate. Interment will be in Holly Hill Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the McKoon Funeral Home at 328 Jackson Street on Sunday between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mckoon.com . McKoon Funeral Home 770-253-4580. NEWNAN TIMES HEARLD

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