Rev. Joe Conyers, left, accepts award from Keith Wueen.
The Rev. Joseph Conyers, pastor emeritus of Austell Presbyterian Church, was presented the M.L. Lamar Award in April for a lifetime of service by the Austell Business Association.
The Austell Business Association presents the M.L. Lamar Award annually in honor of the late businessman and community leader.
“He was there at every point in our lives at the church,” said Kemie Brown Vansant. She noted that his wife, Jane, has ministered at his side. “You are loved and we are thankful that you were there,” she said.
“He is a man of the highest integrity,” said John Collar, a former award recipient.
Calling him “a quiet leader,” Collar noted that the retired pastor has been active in the South Cobb Rotary, C.A.M.P., and helped begin the citywide Good Friday Service.
Rev. Conyers led a group of volunteers to pick up free government surplus food in Marietta and deliver it back to his church for a monthly distribution. It was from this early project that the CAMP Food Pantry was established.
“The hand of Joe Conyers has been seen in every cause that is important to this community for the past 40 years,” Collar said. Rev. Conyers was honored as South Cobb Citizen of the Year in 1996.
The Rev. Bert Carmichael, former chaplain at Cobb Hospital, said that Conyers “is a very loving and caring person who lives what he preaches.”
More than 50 people packed the Collar Center in downtown Austell as Keith Queen, president of the Austell Business Association, presented the award April 19.
Responding to the award Rev. Conyers said, “This is a touching honor. I have been greatly blessed. Thanks a million.”
