Last week, Sabine Parish was saddened and devastated by the death of the Rev. Wilton Anthony, whose longtime association with Siloam Baptist Church and the parish’s religious community made him a beloved local figure.
A native of Sabine Parish, the Rev. Anthony, or Brother Tony as he is called by many, claims to be related to everyone is Sabine Parish. When he first meets someone new, he’ll quickly establish a family or friend connection.
The caring pastor is a likeable fellow, with silver hair and a big smile. His voice is booming and his height makes him stand out in any crowd.
He has entered his 66th year of ministry and has been pastoring the Siloam Baptist Church since 1998.
Born on June 26, 1935 in Negreet, he was one of 13 children born to Hoy D. and Zelma Blackwell Anthony. The couple raised their family on a farm in the Redland Community near Florien. “My father was a farmer,” he shared, “I guess that’s why there were so many children. He needed help and we were the workers.”
“We raised cotton and corn and slaughtered our animals to put meat on the table,” he recalled. “There were 10 of us boys, so we were kept busy helping. “
His brothers were from oldest to youngest Thurman, Howard, M.G., Mack, Elmore “Buddy”, Gordon, Jimmy, Charles and Robert.
Rounding out the family were three sisters, Reba, who died following birth; Juanita and Betty. Today, only Bro. Tony, Gordon, Charles and Juanita survive.
Proudly he exclaimed, “I’m the only one who made a preacher.”
“I am proud that I had five brothers who fought in World War II and they all returned home safely,” he explained. He attributed their safe return to his mother’s prayers.
Growing up, he attended school in Florien. He soon caught the eye of Florien Principal Glen Lilly. A tall and lanky young ballplayer for the Blackcats, Bro. Tony was so good on the court, that he earned an athletic scholarship to Louisiana College in Pineville.
He graduated in 1952, but before that, Lilly had become his Christian mentor.
“I was a Christian at 17-years-old and my principal saw that and stepped in as a mentor,” he pointed out.
In May 1952 he made his profession of faith at his home church, Antioch Baptist Church. He was ordained into ministry at the 1953 Southern Baptist Convention.
In October 1952 he was called to pastor Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Pisgah community.
“I pastored there through my college years and since then, I have pastored to God’s people,” he shared.
“When God called me, He gave me a love of pastoring. I do not think of myself as an eloquent speaker, but I love to speak God’s word,” he stated.
“I love to be with people in all of their needs,” he continued. “In the many years of my ministry, there have been very few babies born, loved ones lost in death or couples joined in marriage that I haven’t been there.”
Continuing, he added, “I truly love to share the joys and sorrows with my congregations. I love to visit hospitals, not only for members of my own congregations, but for the entire community.”
Anthony went off to Louisiana College and played basketball for two years. However, his coach accepted a position at East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas and Anthony followed.
“I wanted to continue to play under his coaching strategies,” he said.
He continued his college education, and continued his preaching, too. After serving Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, he accepted an appointment to Magnolia Baptist Church in Ragley for the next three years (195558) The year of 1956 was a banner year for Anthony. He married Flo King and together they began serving the Lord. She was the perfect helpmate for his ministry. After graduating from East Texas Baptist College, he continued to study at Southwestern Theological Seminary completing his Bachelor of Divinity in 1959. He completed post-graduate work in Instructional Religion in 1959-60 and his Masters of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in 1969.
All the while, he continued to serve a variety of churches as pastor. The couple moved to Texas where they pastored the First Baptist Church of Orange, Texas, First Baptist Church of Port Neches and First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant. While residing in Orange, Texas, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Citizen’s Award and named Outstanding Young Man in Orange County, Texas in 1970.
In 1972-73, he won the Leadership Award at the Baptist General Convention in Texas.
A number of years later, following the completion of his education, they moved back to Louisiana to fill the pulpit of First Baptist Church of Arcadia.
In 1998, the Anthonys returned home to Sabine Parish, when he accepted the pastorate of Siloam Baptist Church.
In 2003 he was honored on his 50th anniversary by the Southern Baptist Convention.
Becoming a preacher has been a fulfilling career. He enjoys writing and delivering sermons and connecting with his congregation.
Years ago, he attended Chaplain’s School at the Institute of Religion and when they Vietnam War was raging in the 1960s, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves to minister to families and veterans returning from the war. He served in this capacity for 12 years.
Anthony has also served on the Executive Board of the Louisiana and Texas Baptist Conventions and instituted a Chaplain’s Program in south Texas hospitals.
He also served on the Christian Life Commission of Texas and Louisiana and on the Board of Trustees of Louisiana College and East Texas Baptist College. He was president of the Board at ETBU for two terms, served as director of Chaplains and a trustee.
He was listed in the first edition of Who’s Who in Religion in 197576.
In past years, he served as a director of the Toledo Bend Missions Board and was vice president of the ARC of Sabine. Also in the communities where he served, he dedicated time to the Salvation Army and March of Dimes in Lake Charles.
He was also a trustee of the Southeast Texas Encampment, where he also served as program director and president.
Although he is extremely proud of his career as a preacher, he is equally proud of his family. He is the father of two daughters. Carole Harline and husband, Heath of Baytown, Texas; and Cheryl Alexander of Sugarland, Texas. One is a journalist and the other is in the mortgage business.
He cherishes his time as a grandfather to three grandchildren, Bryce Morgan, who will complete his college education in May at Texas State University; Peyton Hargrove, a high school junior; and Karson Harline, a senior in high school.
Sadly, his beloved wife passed away in 2012.
He has preached hundreds of funerals throughout his career. In fact, some look to him as a specialist in the field.
In 2017, he shared words of comfort to over 40 grieving families.
Besides serving as a pastor, he has served as a grief counselor at Warren Meadows Funeral Home.
Siloam Baptist Church keeps his weekdays full preparing for Sundays services. Bible study begins at 10 a.m. followed by the 11 a.m. worship service. There are also 6 p.m. services each Sunday night. On Wednesday nights, the congregation gathers for a meal at 5:15 p.m., followed by 6 p.m. Wednesday night services.
“I really don’t cook much,” he stated. “I don’t have to.” He enjoys fruits, but most of all he loves the meals members of his congregation bring to him. He enjoys his daughters’ cooking too, when they visit.
He likes his sirloin steaks rare and does enjoy eating out every once in a while.
Other favorites include the colors red and black, the Andy Griffith Show (Barney Fife is his favorite) and reading historical books by Harry Bennett. He does quite a bit of religious ready, too, and especially likes Dr. J.D. Gray and Dr. R.G. Lee.
Life has been good to the Rev. Wilton Anthony…. and he’s been good for Sabine Parish as he lives and breathes the word of God in his daily living. He has proven himself to be a man among men.
In closing, he has chosen the words of Ralph S. Cushman, in describing his ministry: I do not ask That crowds may throng the temple, That standing room be priced, I only ask that I voice the message.
They may see Christ! I do not ask For churchly pomp or pageant.
Or music such as wealth alone can buy.
I only ask that I voice the message, He may be nigh! I do not ask That men may sound my praises, Or headlines spread my name abroad.
I only pray that I voice the message Hearts may find God. I do not ask For earthly place or laurel, Or of this world’s distinctions any part, I only ask when I have voiced the message, My Savior’s heart! (Editor’s Note: Information from the preceding was taken from Bro. Anthony’s interview for the Sabine Parish Hall of Fame)