Memorial Celebration for Late Pastor Today

Family and friends will gather at West Ridge Church today for visitation and a memorial service honoring Andrew Pray, a worship pastor at the church who died last week after being struck by a bus while biking in Bartow County.

We reported yesterday that police have charged the man who was driving the charter bus that struck and killed Andrew Pray in Bartow County a day before Thanksgiving. (You’ll find that story at this link.) Family, friends and the West Ridge Church community will gather at the church today for Pray’s visitation and memorial service. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until noon, with the memorial celebration set for 1 p.m. (Get more details of Pray’s funeral arrangements and see today’s list of funeral announcements at this link.) Visitation and a memorial celebration also will be held in Rogers, Ark., later this week. Pray was an Arkansas native. West Ridge Church has established a fund to assist the Pray family with funeral costs and …

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Driver Charged in Crash that Killed Pastor

George Carroll of Acworth faces two misdemeanor charges in connection with the crash on Highway 41 in Bartow County that killed Andrew Pray, a worship pastor at West Ridge Church.

Emerson Police on Monday lodged charges against the man who was driving the charter bus that struck and killed West Ridge Church worship pastor Andrew Pray in Bartow County a day before Thanksgiving. George Carroll, 77, of Acworth, was arrested and faces two misdemeanor charges—second-degree vehicular homicide and following too closely—Police Chief Stan Bradley told Cartersville Patch. On his Facebook page, Pray, an Arkansas native, described himself as an avid cyclist, as well as “[an] aspiring cook, sports fan, cereal lover, and saved by the grace of God.” Bradley said Pray's bicycle and the charter bus—which was new and being tested by Carroll and a mechanic—were approaching Red Top Mountain Road on Highway 41 northbound when "for some …

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Community Reacts to Pastor's Passing

Many on Twitter have shown their thanks and offered prayers for Andrew Pray, the West Ridge Church worship pastor who died Wednesday after being struck while cycling in Bartow County. See their heartfelt messages here, and add your own in the comments.