Dr. Donald Sarrell Aultman

Dr. Donald Sarrell Aultman, 87 of Cleveland, passed away, Monday, March 19, 2018 in a healthcare facility.   He was born September 22, 1930 in Gadsden, Alabama.  His date of conversion was January 01, 1940 in Gadsden, Alabama.

 His father, L.H. Aultman, converted in 1933.  His father was a pastor and state overseer in Texas, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina and was also executive director for World Missions, 1958-1964. 

 Dr. Aultman’s education included, an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1969; B.A. in History and Religion, Samford University, Birmingham, AL 1954. He began his ministry March 01, 1950 and was ordained July 1956.  His pastorates were 1953-54 as Associate Pastor, Tremont Avenue Church of God, Greenville, South Carolina; 1952-53 at Birmingham, Alabama, Woodlawn Church of God; 1951-52 in Wichita Falls, Texas, Highland Church of God; 1948-49 as Minister of Music, North Chattanooga Church of God, Tennessee.

 He was elected to General Leadership Positions:  1964-68 as General Director, Youth and Christian Education and 1962-64 as Assistant General Director, Youth and Christian Education.  He was appointed to General Leader Positions:  2010-14 as President, Church of God Foundation; 2006-10 to Chancellor of Education; 1998-06 to Vice Chancellor, Division of Education; Director, School of Ministry; 1968-72 as Vice President and Dean, Lee College; 1960-62 to Assistant General Director, Sunday School and Youth; State Overseer 1972-74 to Northern California-Nevada.  He served in Youth and Christian Education:  1958-60 Florida; 1954-58 Michigan; 1950-51 Texas.  Dr. Aultman served in Evangelism 1950-51.  He served on many church committees, boards, etc:  Member, National Sunday School and Youth Board; Chair, Board of Directors, West Coast Bible College; Member Board of Directors, Church of God School of Theology.  He was involved in Interdenominational Activity:  member, NSSA Board of Directors; Chairman, Denominational Executive Secretaries Commission of NAE (NSSA).

 His social or civic activity included 2003 Editorial Board, Conversations; 2002 Board of Advisors, Department of Education, PSI, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; 1988-89 President, Sun America Planning of Sun America Corp., Los Angeles; 1985-88 Senior Vice President, Financial Service Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia; 1982-85 Board of Directors, Financial Service Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia; 1984 Board of Visitors, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education; 1978-82 Diamond Direct Distributor, Amway Corporation; 1970-72 Board of Directors, Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra; 1969-72 Visiting Committee Member, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; 1968-72 Rotary Club, Cleveland, Tennessee; 1958-60 President, Lee College Alumni Association.  His honors and recognitions include:  Who’s Who in College and University Administrators, 1974; American Men of Science, Behavioral Science Edition, 1970; Who’s Who in South & Southeast, 1968; Phi Delta Kappa, 1969.

 Dr. Aultman’s published works include:  Family Training Hour, Youth and Christian Education; Encyclopedia of Psychology, Baker (Contributor); Christian Education of Adults, Moody (Contributor); Christian Education of Youth, Moody (Contributor); Contemporary Christian Education, Pathway; The Ministry of Christian Teaching, Pathway; Guiding Youth, Pathway; Learning Christian Leadership, Pathway, Baker; Understanding Yourself and Others, Editor, Pathway; Ministering Through Music, Editor, Pathway; Helping People in Crisis, Editor, Pathway; Leading With Integrity, Editor, 2004; Faith of Our Fathers, Editor with Steven J. Land, 2009; You Can Go Home Again, Journey of a Pentecostal, 2010; Faith of Our Mothers, Inspirational Stories of Church of God Women, Editor, 2014.

 He married his bride, Winona Gay Cook on June 07, 1950 in Cleveland, Tennessee at the North Cleveland Church of God.

 Dr. Aultman was a member of North Cleveland Church of God.  He was employed by the Church of God, Division of Education where he served as Chancellor, Division of Education.  He was the International Director, School of Ministry from 1998 -2014

 He was preceded death by his parents, Leonard and Jewel Barnwell Aultman.

 He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Winona Gay Cook Aultman; two children, Melodie Aultman-Morris of Calhoun, GA and Melissa Dunn of Calhoun, GA; three grandchildren, Landon Sarrell Walker of Calhoun, GA, Justin Lee Morris of Atlanta, GA, and Tensley W. Reiss of Atlanta, GA; seven great-grandchildren, Landon Sarrell Walker, Jr., Layla Walker, Lidia Jewell, Jack Holland, Conner Holland, Vallen Walker, and Ellis Walker; one sister, Glenda Sloan of Calhoun, GA; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

 A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2018 in Lee Chapel with Dr. Paul Conn, Walt Mauldin, Darlia Conn, Tammie Mauldin, Justin Morris, Carmelita Walker, and Dr. Paul Walker speaking.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony and bagpipes concluding the service.

 The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home. The family will also receive friend from noon to 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Lee Chapel prior to the service. 

 We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Aultman family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.