PEOP LE & P LACES
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University Baptist Pastor’s Retirement Celebration Mitchell Simpson delivered his final sermon as senior pastor at University Baptist Church (UBC) on March 1. Mitchell, a UNC alumnus, a Morehead-Cain Scholar and longtime Carolina basketball and football fan, took his position with the church in 1990. State Rep. Verla Insko and State Sen. Valerie Foushee presented him with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is awarded to individuals who have shown extraordinary service to North Carolina. Following the service, church members enjoyed a celebratory lunch during which Mitchell was named pastor emeritus of UBC. Barry Jones, former pastor at Park View Baptist Church in Durham, is serving as the church’s interim pastor. Photography by Matt White
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1 Tonya Malinowski, Aaron Simpson, Betty Simpson, Mitchell Simpson, Ellie Bautista and Ezequiel Bautista. 2 Josephine Branham, 12, Brandi Branham, Matt Branham, Peyton Branham, 7, Freddy Branham, 7, and Ryan Branham, 10. 3 Paul Caldwell, Ashley Davoli and Phillip Smith. 4 Joe Bray and Andrew Simpson. 5 Pepper Hines, Austin Bell and Sue Adams.