Dr. Rhonda Furr has donated a beautiful new artist's bench for the piano in the sanctuary, in memory of her mother, Bert Speich. Rhonda grew up in our church, and began playing the piano for services while she was in high school. She soon became the organist, and served in that capacity until she left in the mid 1980s in order to earn a doctorate in organ performance at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Rhonda accepted a position at Houston Baptist University, and has been there since her commencement from "Southern." She has continued in her role as church organist all these years.
Bert Speich sang alto in the Sanctuary Choir for some forty years. She was the chair of search committee which hired me as Minister of Music. Her gracious and loving spirit were always a model of Christian behavior, and her memory lives on in all who knew her. She, along with her husband, Hank, taught Sunday School for at least twenty-five years for grades 3-6. They were active in the total program of Sylva First Baptist Church, and we miss them.
Thank you, Rhonda, for your gift in memory of Bert!!
Sincerely,
Bob Holquist
The Music Ministry