Rev. Don Seymour

Rev. Glen and Daisy Seymour were Don’s parents. They loved each other and each of their children equally. To them were born Donna Jean, James Stephen, Donald Lee, Freda Jane and Bonnie Marie.

In 1936, someone invited them to attend revival services at Circleville First Church of Christ in Christian Union. In that revival, both of his parents sought to be saved at the altar. Glen prayed through to victory and drove home rejoicing that he was a Christian. Daisy didn’t receive the assurance of her salvation that night, but early Monday morning she picked up Jimmy who was nearly two years old. She held him in the old rocking chair while she prayed to be saved. After a time of earnest prayer, her faith reached the throne of grace. In that moment, the Holy Spirit witnessed to her heart that He had forgiven her sins and she now was now a child of God. With Jimmy in her arms, and being seven months along with Don, she arose from the rocking chair shouting, “I’ve got it, I’ve got it,” as she ran through the farmhouse! In her joy, she gave both boys a good shaking up and a real introduction to old-time religion, two months before Don was born!

They were nurtured by the dear saints at First Church and from them they learned that they should:

Have Family Worship.

(It was during one of those times of prayer at age six that God whispered, “Donnie, I want you to preach for me someday.”) He told his Mother and Daddy what Jesus had said to him as they drove to church.

These Christians also taught them that a growing family needed to memorize Bible verses and obey God’s Word.
They also taught them that children can know Jesus as Savior and live for Him, love each other and share their faith, and tithe to the Lord.

Don’s mother loved to sing about God’s love and saving grace. When Donna was six and Jimmy four, she formed a trio with them and sang at every opportunity to glorify Jesus. When Don turned 4, she took him on as second tenor making a quartet. That continued until his voice changed when he was in the 7th grade. Later, her youngest child Bonnie sang with her.

One of their favorite songs was:

“On the Resurrection Morning all the saints of God shall rise.

I’ll have a new body, Praise the Lord, I’ll have new life.”

They went to church every time the doors were open, and sometimes in between to sing in other churches but they never seemed to get too much church. They would often play church and have Don to preach.

In 1948, Rev. Glen Seymour left the farm he loved so much to answer God’s call to Dexter Rd. CCCU Church in the south end of Columbus. There the children spent their teens and Don began preaching at age 15.

In 1953, he met Betty Mattox at church and they became good friends. They both went to a Christian High School, Mt. Carmel School near Jackson, Kentucky. Often visiting missionaries spoke and they were challenged by hearing about the great need for the Gospel to be preached in other lands. After graduation God led them to Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute where they became engaged and were married on October 7, 1957.

Don was invited to several congregations who were looking for a pastor, but the Lord’s calling was to two small churches in the Cambridge, Ohio area-- Derwent and Four Mile Hill. After four years a call came from the large Lancaster CCCU (now known as Faith Memorial Church). And then, just when things were going so well, the Lord gave Don and Betty an unmistakable challenge, “I have chosen you that you should go…” to the island of New Guinea! This calling was not just to the highly civilized coastal area but to the Southern Highlands where people still lived as in the Stone Age.  This was in 1964, fifty-eight years ago and the prospect of taking three small children there was daunting, to say the least.

But the promise of God was clear; they would bear remaining fruit. So, on the last day of October, 1964, they left Columbus airport with Martha, 6; Deborah, 4 and Mark, 18 months old. Their son David was born in Goroka, Territory of Papua and New Guinea in 1966. They claimed the promise of God, “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isaiah 54:13

The harvest was ready and thousands of people eagerly received the message of salvation during the next ten years.  This turning to the Lord is still continuing to this day. Such rapid growth demanded many more workers and God sent more missionaries. The expansion continues with medical, educational, Bible College and most of all, evangelistic ministries.

The next step was to the Caribbean where Don was to assist the Christian Union Church of the West Indies in becoming independent from the mission organization in the USA, and becoming a sending church. God has raised up leaders to fill pulpits in those islands as well as here in our country.

In 1980, Don was elected by the General Council of the CCCU to serve as General Missionary Superintendent. This was a challenging and exciting ministry which required the enabling grace of God. After 12 years in that position, Don served as District Superintendent of the Northeast District of the church for 8 years. This was followed by pastoral ministries in Florida and Ohio.

Don is survived by his wife Betty of 65 years; sister Bonnie Stricklin; sister-in-law Janice Seymour; daughters Martha (Paul) Adams; Deborah (J. Thomas) MacKay; sons D. Mark (Kathy) Seymour; David (Lora) Seymour; grandchildren Stephanie Oliver; Mary Ann (Alex) Thomas; Caitlyn MacKay; Hannah (Durell) Comedy; Lydia (Jeremy) Massop-Broomfield; Jarrod (Brittany) Barnes; Benjamin (Liv) Seymour;  Leah Seymour; Jonah Seymour; Joel Seymour; Nathan Seymour; Ashlee Adams and Daniel Seymour. He also leaves six great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous friends in several parts of the world.

Rev. Donald Seymour could say with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also who love His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Circleville First Church C.C.U.  Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 11-1 p.m.  Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.