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In Memoriam
Brevard S. Childs
Brevard Childs passed away on June 23, at the age of eighty-three. Childs was the Sterling Professor of Divinity at Yale University from 1958 to 1999 and the author of numerous books, including The Book of Exodus and Isaiah, both part of WJK’s Old Testament Library series. He was also a member of the editorial boards of the Journal for the Study of the Old Testament and the Journal of Interpretation.
Childs is survived by his wife, Ann. On November 18, 2007, a panel will reflect on his life and career as part of the SBL Congress in San Diego. Among the topics to be discussed are his influence on religious studies—both Old and New Testament—and theology.
Letty Mandeville Russell
Renowned feminist theologian Letty Russell passed away on July 12 at the age of seventy-seven. She was one of the first women ordained in the United Presbyterian Church and spent much time mentoring and influencing various marginalized and oppressed groups. She began teaching at Yale Divinity School in 1974, where she remained until her retirement in 2001.
Among the many books Russell wrote or edited are WJK’s Hagar, Sarah, and Their Children: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives; Dictionary of Feminist Theologies; Feminist Interpretation of the Bible; Human Liberation in a Feminist Perspective—A Theology; Inheriting Our Mothers’ Gardens: Feminist Theology in Third World Perspective; and Household of Freedom: Authority in Feminist Theology. She grew up sailing on the Long Island Sound and was a member of various boating groups. Visitors to her home were often taken out for a spin on the sound in her little sunfish boat. She was also an avid Harry Potter fan and loved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Letty Russell is survived by her partner, Shannon Clarkson.
Douglas Adams
Doug Adams, author of the best-selling WJK book The Prostitute in the Family Tree: Discovering Humor and Irony in the Bible, died on July 24. Adams was professor of Christianity and the arts at Pacific School of Religion for thirty-one years and was head of the doctoral faculty in art and religion at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He was also national president of the Society for Art, Religion, and Contemporary Culture and head of art and religion at the American Academy of Religion.
Douglas Adams is survived by his sister, Sally, and her husband, Kenneth. His wife, Margo, died in 2005.
John C. Purdy
Jack Purdy, distinguished Presbyterian writer and editor, passed away on July 31 at the age of eighty-one. Purdy was a prolific writer whose contributions to the WJK list include the books Parables at Work; Returning God’s Call: The Challenge of Christian Living; and God with a Human Face. He also contributed to PPC’s These Days daily devotionals and wrote numerous articles for several journals, including Presbyterian Outlook and Presbyterians Today.
Jack edited denominational curriculum for youth and adults for twenty-six years and was very active in the Presbyterian Writers Guild. He was also one of the best Scrabble players in the PC(USA). He is survived by his wife, Mary, three children, and three grandchildren.
William M. Ramsay
William Ramsay, author of WJK’s The Westminster Guide to the Books of the Bible; Second Corinthians (Interpretation Bible Studies series); and Church History 101, passed away in May. He is survived by his wife DeVere, with whom he had four grandchildren. Bill, an ordained Presbyterian minister, was a religion professor at Bethel College for a number of years. DeVere is a Christian educator, workshop leader, curriculum writer, and a frequent contributor to These Days.
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