Timothy Dane Cearley, age 68, of Montgomery, Alabama passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Timothy was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina to Robert and Bonnie Cearley of Hickory, NC. Mr. Cearley was preceded in death by his grandparents, and beloved aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Cushing Cearley; his children, Matt, Joy, and Sarah Cearley; his parents, Robert and Bonnie Cearley; his siblings, Tom (Carol) Cearley- his twin brother and Beth (Tom) Hill; his nieces and nephews, Sharon (Bob) Easton, Amanda Hill, Stephen (Katy) Hill, Ashley (Matt) Ward, Wesley (Marcie) Cearley, Josh Webb, Hannah (Kyle) Rice, Luke (Katie) Webb as well as great nieces and a great nephew.
Tim enjoyed participating in activities of First Baptist, Montgomery, the Tuesday Men’s Prayer Group at Eastmont, and the Friday AM men’s group at First Baptist. He was part of the International Mission Board for 35 years, rising in leadership responsibility from church planting to strategic planning with oversight of 200 missionaries until his final assignment as Strategy Leader for Sub-Saharan Africa, overseeing approximately 600 missionaries and 49 countries. After retirement he was an Uber driver and worked at the Y, then later was asked to direct the Community Ministries of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, with responsibility for the Caring Center, Prison Ministry, ESL programs, tutoring, Nehemiah Center, and Master’s Garden.
Tim loved God and he loved people! Everyone who knew him for even a short time recognized his love of laughter, work ethic, and servant-hearted spirit. His desire to share God’s love with the people of Africa led him (and his wife) to live in 5 African countries over a 33-year span, spending time learning languages, and culture wherever they went. He could speak Shona and Portuguese quite well, often reading his Bible in French, Shona, or Portuguese. He could greet people in at least 5 other languages and loved learning new idioms and cultural practices.
A visitation for Mr. Cearley will be held Friday, November 18, 2022 at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Andalusia, AL. A brief family funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm with services concluding with a burial at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery, Andalusia, AL.
On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 1:00 pm, a family and friends visitation will occur at First Baptist Church, 305 S Perry St, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. A celebration of life memorial service will follow at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tim's memory may be made to the IMB Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, c/o 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230 or IMB.org; or FBC Montgomery, community ministries; or the MK Spiritual Development Endowment or MK Educational Endowment at WMU Foundation wmufoundation.com imb.org
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Cearley family.
DONATIONS
IMB-Lottie Moon Christmas Offering3806 Monument Ave. , Richmond, VA 23230
FBC MontgomeryCommunity Ministries, Montgomery, Alabama 36104
MK Spiritual Development EndowmentWMU Foundation
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