the life and contributions of reverend r.l. heflin

By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson and Dr. Alvin Thornton
PictureThe Reverend R.L. Heflin, Local Pastor & Civil Rights Leader
For the people of East Alabama, the passing of Randolph County’s most beloved pastor, Reverend Robert L. Heflin, Sr., on Tuesday, May 10 at the Bethany House Hospice Center in Auburn, Alabama, marked the end of an era.  Saturday, May 14, at 1:00 PM, the Roanoke City Auditorium, on the campus of the Handley High School, was the setting for a “Home-Going Celebration” for the iconic pastor and civic leader. 

A third generation missionary Baptist minister, small in physical stature, yet a man of “Titanic” dimensions, the Reverend R. L. Heflin, Sr., left his large footprint in the sands of time for most of the 20th and early 21st Century as he walked for 91 years among his fellow citizens, believers, and parishioners throughout East Alabama and beyond. 

Reverend R. L. Heflin, Sr. was born on November 10, 1925 in Randolph County, Alabama to the parentage of the late Rev. James and Mrs. Dora Fuller Heflin. He had eight siblings. With his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers (Ben, John and Tom), and three sisters (Dolina, Lois, and Lema Ruth).

He received his early education in the public schools of Randolph County and continued study and learning throughout his extended life.  At an early age, he joined the Rehope Baptist Church before joining the Peace and Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a Deacon before answering the call to the ministry.  He was united in marriage to the former Ms. Tavie L. Clark.  To their union, five children were born; two that preceded him in death – Stoney and Walter Lewis. 

Rev. Heflin pastored five churches in Randolph and Clay Counties – Roseline, Friendship Wadley, Friendship Bacon Level, Antioch, and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Churches. He pastored the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Roanoke for 58 years.  He served as Moderator of the East Alabama Union District Association, Secretary of the Randolph County Ministerial Alliance, and he was an active member of the Ministers’ Association of Randolph County. He organized the matrons department of the East Alabama Union District Association, and played a major leadership role in the work of the State Baptist Newspaper – the Baptist Leader. He constantly moved in and out of Christian circles throughout the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention, serving in an official capacity, chairing committees, guiding and directing deliberations and decision-making.   

Reverend Heflin was a preeminent change agent in the civic affairs of Roanoke, Randolph County and East Alabama... a force to be reckoned with.  He worked closely with other community leaders, such as Jesse A. Terry, Dr. Ben A. Outland, Herman L. Shaw, Wilkie Clark, Roy D. Terry, Rudolph Terry, and his nephew, a third generation minister, Bishop Lathonia J. Wright, to effect permanent and positive changes in both the civil rights and political and social climate for Black residents of Randolph County, and Alabama. The fruits of their labor elevated the level of justice and humanity for all. This group of courageous Black leaders of Randolph County formed an impenetrable coalition, which pursued its “Freedom, Justice and Equality agenda for African Americans and all Randolph County residents with laser-focus and never veered off-course. He remained a vital link in this group, often bringing the element of peace and prayerfulness into otherwise intense situations. During many difficult and controversial meetings, he was the only one who could drive home his position, and do so with humility, yet with Godly authority. He was a drum major for justice.    
 
For several years, Rev. Heflin chaired the Randolph County Chapter of the ADC (the Alabama Democratic Conference - the Black political caucus of Alabama).  It was under his stewardship and chairmanship that numerous changes occurred in the political landscape of Randolph County, including the historic litigation that resulted in court-ordered revision to the “at-large” method of voting to single-member district voting. This one victory alone resulted in the election of hundreds of Blacks to public offices throughout the state of Alabama, something that had never occurred before. His civic leadership and service also included:  founding member of the Randolph County Rescue Squad; member of the Randolph County Training School (RCTS) Advisory Board; member of the Human Resources Board of Director; Randolph County, Member of the U. S. Coast Guard; and member and secretary of the Randolph County NAACP. He was the grandson of enslaved ancestors who lived through racial discrimination and segregation, and helped lead the modern Civil Rights Movement and lay the foundation for the election of the first Black President of our nation and generations of other Black elected officials.
 
Among his many leadership and service awards are:  the William J. Shaw Pastoral Award from the National Baptist Convention (2008); Exemplary Service Award, Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention; Outstanding and Humble Leader Award from the Wilkie Clark Day Camp (1989 and 1990); a Governor’s Citation from the Honorable Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama; a proclamation from the City of Roanoke (2002), a Service Award from the Friendship Union District Convention, Wedowee, Alabama, and numerous other citations and awards from church and community organizations. At his “Home-Going” celebration, the  Roanoke City Mayor and City Council presented a citation recognizing his life and legacy.
 
On May 10, 2016, after fighting the good fight and remaining faithful, he opened his eyes to eternal life surrounded by family and friends and full acceptance of the fact that “God Specializes.”  He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 68 years, Ms. Tavie L. Heflin of Roanoke Alabama; one daughter, Annette (Alvin) Thornton of Upper Marlboro, Md. , two sons, Rev. Robert Heflin (Jacqulyn) of Edgefield, South Carolina; and Thomas of Roanoke, Alabama.  He is also survived by a granddaughter, Octavia Heflin Smith (Bert), who he raised with his wife; and two sisters, Jimmie Grier of Roanoke, Alabama, and Ida Houston of New York, New York; two sisters-in-law, Grace Davis and Ida Mitchell; and one brother-in-law, Tobie Clark.  He leaves to cherish his memory 10 grandchildren and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and many friends.

Saturday’s celebration of Rev. Heflin’s life included the eulogy by his son, Rev. Robert (Bill) Heflin, Jr., and moments of high praise and worship as the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church and Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church choirs united their voices in singing traditional songs in the distinctive heritage and style of the African American Church. Members of his family offered tributes:  his son, Thomas Heflin, and nephew Bishop Lathonia J. Wright; tributes memorializing his civic accomplishments by his son-in-law, Dr. Alvin Thornton, Professor, Howard University; tributes memorializing his innumerable church activities, including Moderator William Phillips, Reverend Dr. Melvin Owens, and the Reverend Joseph Stafford Rowser, and acknowledgements by his first grandchild, Kenya Ani Thornton-McLaughlin, Esq.

Perhaps one of his most amazing qualities was despite his small physical stature, and the fact that he did not rant and rave or speak in a loud thunderous voice; God conferred unto him the gift of “forcefulness”, and gave him a spirit of humility to direct and guide it.  This dynamic combination made him a unique and effective servant of God who was able to touch and move so many for such a time as this.

With family and friends assembled, Rev. Heflin was laid to rest under his favorite large tree on the  grounds of the historic Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, 372 Waller Mill Road in Roanoke.