Birth date: Dec 14, 1953 Death date: May 17, 2023
Alta Ruth Wagner, age 69, passed away in Crossville, Tennessee on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. She was born on December 14, 1953, in Gainesville, Florida, to Jack Durrance and Alta Gay Durrance. She was a talented pianist, and played Read Obituary
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” II Timothy 4:6-8
Our Ministry Assistant, Alta Wagner fought a valiant fight with cancer and now she has received the ultimate healing by standing in the presence of her Savior. She served our association well as ministry assistant and treasurer for over nine years.
I remember very quickly realizing Alta’s spirit of servanthood during my final interview with her. As I looked at her work background, some of the jobs that she had held, and the office skills that she possessed, I told her that we could not pay her what she was worth. I’ll never forget her reply, “That is okay as long as I can pay for gas and pantyhose, we’ll be just fine.” She did not view this new job as work to receive a paycheck but as ministry where she could serve the Lord.
I’m thankful that God saw her through her first battle with colon cancer several years ago. But as she so often feared the ugly plague of cancer returned to her body with what seemed like vengeance.
In the beginning of her last fight with cancer she often talked with me about the fear of dying that gave her great concern. We would remind each other of God’s promises and course that brought assurance. I saw her fear diminish into faith during our last visits together. In particular, she reminded me of the song, “It Is Well With My Soul,” while pointing to her heart and saying, pastor it really is well with my soul.
Alta is certainly going to be missed in our association, but praise be to God that we can say with Paul, “there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Kirk Casey
Director of Missions
Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association
