Bro. Doyle Rust

Funeral services for Bro. Doyle Rust, 80, of Pittsburg will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Pittsburg with Bro. Johnny Simmons officiating.  Interment will be in the Leesburg Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Erman Smith Funeral Home.

Doyle Rust was born to the late J.T. & Marie Rust in Pittsburg, TX on October 16, 1942, and he left this world for his permanent home with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on September 18, 2023.  Bro Doyle was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Sandra Brooks Rust and his parents.  He is survived by two children, Tonya Baker (Wes) of Pittsburg, TX and Doyle Rust, II (Betty) of Clarksville, TN.  He is survived by 3 siblings - Carlis Mitchell (Smokey - Deceased), Steve Rust (Suzan), Gay Rust Brooks; 9 grandchildren - Josh Baker (Hannah), Sarah Killough (Ryan), Rachel Nolen (Travis), Caleb Baker (Tori), Paul Rust, Mandy Flagler (Morgan), Taylor Rust, Derek Trainer (Bethany), Stacey Gary and 13 Great-grandchildren. 

Bro Doyle graduated from Chapel Hill High School and attended college in Texarkana.  He worked for several years doing seismograph work prior to settling in Mt. Pleasant where he originally went to work for SWEPCO as an engineer.  After coming home to Mt. Pleasant, Bro. Doyle and Miss Sandra became active in South Jefferson Baptist Church where he started the Harvester’s Sunday School class where many friendships began that would alter Bro. Doyle’s life and his future all for the glory of God.  Bro. Doyle surrendered to full time ministry in 1979 and soon became an associate pastor at South Jefferson Baptist where he oversaw the Christian School and served as a mentor to many.  He was a true soul winner who loved telling people about Jesus and then teaching those young believers the Bible and how to put it to practice in their lives.

In 1986, Bro. Doyle accepted the pastorate of Bethel Baptist Church where he served for over 20 years.  After leaving Bethel Pittsburg, he served as pastor of Eaves Tabernacle Leesburg, First Baptist Cookeville, Bethel Baptist Clayton and finally at Midway Baptist Church Gilmer where he served until, he retired due to health issues.

Of course, Bro. Doyle worked hard to provide for the physical needs of his family, but he expended even more effort to teach his family the Bible and a love for his Lord.  The scriptures were read, memorized, and taught every night in his home.  Very few things ever interrupted their family altar time - he knew the scriptures and a relationship with Jesus were the most important for himself and his family.  I think he would tell you this was his number one job.

Bro. Doyle loved to share his faith with others.  Whether it was going house to house, visiting people in the nursing home, preaching in the jail, teaching a Sunday School Class, or preaching from the pulpit; Dad loved to tell people about Jesus and what he had done for all of us.  One of the verses he had his family memorize was Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  Certainly, Bro. Doyle is shining brightly and is a star in the eyes of God and to Bro. Doyle nothing else mattered.

Pallbearers will be Paul Henderson, Charlie Holt, Josh Baker, Caleb Baker, Ryan Killough, and Travis Nolen.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Erman Smith Funeral Home Chapel.