What Is Gleanings?

At Christianity Today, we’re constantly tracking important developments in the church and the world. Often we use our network of reporters around the world (and for that, visit our main site). But we also monitor other news outlets, bloggers, newsmakers’ social media feeds, and countless other information streams. Gleanings compiles the most urgent and interesting items we’ve found, explains why you need to know about them, and gives you the background you need to understand them. It’s our snapshot of what God is doing in the world, hour by hour.

Free Newsletters

« The Faith of Abby Sunderland and her Family | Main | Women Say Scientology Forced Them to Have Abortions »

June 14, 2010

Jimmy Dean, Sausage King & Baptist, Dies at 81

Dean donated $1 million to Wayland Baptist University in 2008.

Jimmy Dean, a country singer star who was perhaps best known for his sausage brand, has died at 81.

"I loved music since the Seth Ward Baptist Church outside of Plainview (Texas)." he said in a 2004 interview. He also gave some colorful quotes to Esquire in a 2001 interview.

--Being a Baptist won't keep you from sinning, but it'll sure ... keep you from enjoying it.

--Do what you say you're going to do. And try to do it a little better than you said you would.
God is bigger than people think.

--My favorite song? "Amazing Grace." Anybody singing it. But the best it'll ever be done is by the Scottish National Pipe band and their National Orchestra. It'll bring tears to your eyes.


In 2008, Dean donated 1 million dollars to Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas.

“Poverty was the greatest motivating factor in my life. They laughed at the clothes I had to wear to school and the house we lived in. But what they did, unbeknownst to them, was they lit a fire in here,” Dean said at a university luncheon. “And for a long time, I’d say, ‘One day, I’ll show you.’ That was a great driving force in me.

In 1969, Dean started the Jimmy Dean Meat Company in Texas. He sold the company to the Sara Lee Corporaton in 1984. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of fame earlier this year.

Comments

Such sad news to hear. I honestly never knew much about him (love his sausages though) but it sounds like he was very generous and loved by many.

I loved "Big Bad John".Always liked Texas Guys and their Bands.Jimmy you will be missed.

Jimmy Dean was what most americans should be,honest&forthright.He had a hell of voice and will be missed by me for sure.

My favorite of Jimmie's songs was "The First Thing Every Morning."
He was a great natural talent. I am thankful that he was a believer in Christ.