Pastor Robert Farmer

Funeral service for Pastor Robert Lee Farmer, 87, of 5100 Artis Road, Lucama, NC, will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 12:00 pm at Atkins Memorial Tabernacle, 6740 Rock Ridge Sims Rd., Sims, NC.  The burial will follow in the St. Mark Church Cemetery, 6328 Radio Tower Road, Wilson, NC.  Bishop Eloise Sessoms will deliver the Words of Comfort. 

It’s hard to stop a train!  Well, at 11:59 am on Thursday, morning

May 23, 2019 at Wilson Memorial Hospital,

Daddy’s engine stopped!!

“Job 1:21 …..Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

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Pastor Robert Lee Farmer was born on April 10, 1932 to the late Walter and the late Victoria Harris Farmer. He was preceded in death by four siblings, Mamie, William, John, and Frank. 

Pastor Robert Lee Farmer received his early education at the Lofton School in Wilson, NC.   Later, in 1956, he found and married the jewel of his life Dora Lee Dawson over 63 years ago.  He loved and cherished his wife. He honored her and admired her devotion to God.  To this union, God blessed them with a strong son who they named appropriately, Robert Junior Farmer.  As a family man, Pastor Farmer trained his son up in the way of the Lord and God richly blessed them all spiritually.

In 1958, Pastor Robert Lee Farmer became a member of St. John Apostolic Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Bishop John Hart, Sr.  In 1970, Pastor Farmer accepted his call into the ministry.  Dr. Eloise Sessoms, gave confirmation to this call.  His first message was “Come to the Lord, He is the one!” (Matthew 2:28-30). 

Pastor Robert Lee Farmer worked faithfully as a local church minister and Vice-President of St. John’s Missionary Department.  In 1972, he became an Assistant Pastor of St. Mark Apostolic Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Elder Mary Coleman.  He worked faithfully by her side for 29 years.  His dedication lingered from the past to the present; his faithfulness was proven strong; he never forgot his place and he always admired the leadership of Pastor Coleman.  

Pastor Robert Lee Farmer lived a holy life in front of St. Mark members and he was glad that they believed in his leadership.  Therefore, before accepting this position, Pastor Farmer consulted the Lord.  After receiving confirmation from God in a dream, Pastor Farmer consented to accept his new role as Pastor of the St. Mark Apostolic Holiness Church.  He stated at that time, “the members of St. Mark church are very loving and sweet.  I am proud of them and I pray to God for guidance that I might not lead them astray.”

11   “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,

evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”   

 Ephesians 4:11&12

Pastor Robert Lee Farmer was a dedicated worker during his lifetime.  He gave 30 years to the City of Wilson as a tree trimmer; he gave 26 years at the Social Security Administration Office in Wilson as a Custodian; and seven years at a local tobacco factory. 

All things of God were hobbies of Pastor Farmer.  He was a faithful supporter of the “A Team” at St. John Apostolic Holiness Church.  Pastor Farmer also looked forward to sharing with the Alston’s of Louisburg, his new daughter’s family for Thanksgiving dinners.  Pastor Farmer would often bless this happy feast with a heartwarming prayer for the occasion.

As a servant of God, Pastor Farmer preached on Sunday, May 19, 2019 from a topic “Don’t Forget Where God Brought You From”.  After church, he visited his wife to be sure that she was comfortable for the evening.  After being the good husband that he had always been, Pastor Farmer went home for the night not knowing that would be his last visit to care for his precious jewel. 

He leaves to cherish him memory; his jewel, Mrs. Dora Lee Farmer of the home; one son Robert Junior Farmer and wife Anna of Raleigh, NC; one grandson Jon Rodriquez Farmer, III and wife Ishell of Washington, DC; three sisters, Ms. Agnes Farmer and Ms. Fannie Murray, both of Wilson, NC; Ms. Emma Johnson of Englewood, NJ; brother-in-law Thomas Dawson and wife Rosalie of Wilson, NC; many God-sons, God-daughters and their children who loved him like a ‘daddy’; a host of nieces and nephews; and; of course, the St. Mark Apostolic Holiness Church Family.

A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Wilson, NC.
At other times the family will be receiving friends at 5100 Artis Road, Lucama, NC.

"Committed to Serve, Committed to Care"

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Psalms 46:1

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