Obituaries-July 2016
Rev. Douglas Gene Fraley (B.Div., 1955), 85, passed away on May 25, 2016. Devoted husband of Carolyn (nee Bergman), for 60 years. Admired father of Wendy (Alfredo) Cintron, Michael D. Fraley, Sarah (Charles) Faupel, and Philip (Giuditta) Fraley. Grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Brother of Donald (Phyllis) Fraley. Also loved by many other relatives, friends, and dogs.
Heather Marie Nall Hagler, (MA., 1995),47, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2016 surrounded by her family and friends after a courageous battle with rectal cancer. She is survived by her devoted husband of 21 years Kenneth, her 17 year old son Logan, her 16 year old daughter Jay, her parents Frank and Kathy Nall, her brother Steve, sister-in-law Beth, niece Lacy Nall, her father-in-law Larry, mother-in-law Millie, and sister-in-law Marlena Hagler, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. Heather grew up in Pikeville, Kentucky. She was a graduate of Pikeville High School, Asbury University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. She loved serving alongside her family at various churches in north Georgia. She also worked as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Buford First United Church in Buford, Georgia. Heather worked as a preschool teacher and teacher’s assistant in many church preschools, including Cumming First United Methodist Preschool. She also enjoyed hiking and camping with her family and classic movies.
Ben C. Ben Campbell Johnson, (B.Div., 1956), 84, of Decatur, Georgia passed away June 2, 2016. Dr. Johnson was born March 28, 1932 in Elba, Alabama to the late Fred and Sarah Cammie Johnson. Survivors include his loving wife of 42 years, Nan, daughter and son-in-law, Evangeline (Ginger) and Gregory Larson, son Benjamin Christopher Johnson, step-sons Jim (Christy) Cotsakis, Cumming, Mark (Catherine) Cotsakis, step-daughter Holly Zaprowski of Atlanta, and his sister Fredrika (Charles) Pearce. He was especially proud of his seven grandchildren: Erica, Jared, Zachary Larson, Christina (Christian) Cotsakis Cordon, Sara and Baird Cotsakis, and Carlin Zaprowski, plus his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. An ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Dr. Johnson was widely known for his work in church renewal movements and interfaith relations between faith traditions. He was pastor of United Methodist Churches in Kentucky and Alabama, and served in interim pastoral roles at Salem Presbyterian Church in Lithonia, GA and North Avenue Presbyterian Church, in Atlanta. In 1963 Dr. Johnson founded and served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Church Renewal (ICR) in Atlanta. This non-profit ministry developed programs and resources for congregations aimed to promote growth and vitality. His academic degrees include a B.A. from Asbury College, a B.D. from Asbury Seminary, a Th.M. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a D.Min. from San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Emory University. In 1981, Dr. Johnson was called to be the Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, and later in 1995 became the Professor of Spirituality. Dr. Johnson was a prolific writer of more than forty books concentrating on evangelism, prayer and spirituality. After retiring in 2000, he continued to write and devote his energies to fostering interfaith relationships. He served as an advisory board member of the Interfaith Community Initiatives (ICI), the Clarkston Community Health Center, as well as other interfaith programs in the Atlanta area. Ben enjoyed extensive travel around the world, and marveled at all the different cultures and experiences. Hosting family and friends, both local and international, in their home was also a great joy and passion for Ben.
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