‘He poured himself into folks.’ Columbus community servant leader Roy Plummer dies
The Rev. Roy Plummer, a retired U.S. Army colonel who was a servant leader for his country and his community, has died.
Plummer died Sunday night at his home, the secretary at Faith Tabernacle Community Church confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer. He was 84.
“Rev. Plummer was diagnosed with a form of leukemia in early January,” she wrote in a text message. “He fought a good fight and ran his race.”
The public viewing will be Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Faith Tabernacle sanctuary, 1603 Floyd Road, Columbus. The funeral service will be Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. in the Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth St. Interment will follow will full military honors at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, according to Hill-Watson-People’s Funeral Service.
After founding Faith Tabernacle in 1994, Plummer was senior pastor there for 28 years.
From 1998-2014, Plummer was director of Army instruction for the JROTC program in the Muscogee County School District. During his tenure, the district’s JROTC program grew from approximately 400 cadets to 1,200, according to the bio MCSD compiled upon his retirement. Under his leadership, MCSD cadets won state championships in rifle shooting, drill team and raider competitions.
Lt. Col. Herbert Sanders Jr., the current JROTC Army instructor for MCSD, met Plummer in 2012 when he was the senior Army instructor at Columbus High School. Sanders called Plummer an outstanding leader and estimated he had a positive impact on approximately 30,000 cadets during his 16 years in MCSD.
“He was probably one of the most professional and interactive leaders that I ever had the opportunity to meet,” Sanders told the L-E. “He was a caring person, always putting other people first in terms of helping them with anything they needed, even just advice on life.
“He truly mentored all of the instructors in the JROTC on how to navigate helping kids through hard time and then to prepare them to succeed after high school by having some plan that was solid, that they could stand on, to truly have a future outside of high school, a productive future and to be good citizens.”
MCSD superintendent David Lewis told the L-E in an email, “I will most remember him for his rich, resonate voice and his many humanitarian acts on behalf of those in need. As a Rotarian, he truly personified the ideals of service above self.”
The Rev. Neil Richardson, executive director of SafeHouse Ministries, recalled Rob Doll introducing him to Plummer when they happened to be at Doll’s Nissan car dealership at the same time in 2008. They became fast friends, and Plummer encouraged Richardson to pursue his passion. That produced SafeHouse, helping people experiencing addiction, homelessness or incarceration transition back into the community.
Plummer served as the first president of the SafeHouse board.
“He brings out the best in people,” Richardson told the L-E. “He wants to know what your dreams and hopes are, and, if he can, he will help you get there.”
Richardson returned the favor and encouraged Plummer to bring his dream of establishing a shelter for homeless military veterans to fruition. The Plummer Home was established in 2010.
“He poured himself into folks,” Richardson said. “… This community was lucky to have him and is going to miss him dearly.”
Plummer finished his active-duty Army career as the chief of chaplains at Fort Benning. He also served as a Rotary International chaplain. He was a board member for the St. Francis Hospital Foundation, Columbus Hospice, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, Boy Scouts of America Chattahoochee Council and Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
At Columbus State University, Plummer taught counseling as an assistant professor.
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop described Plummer as a “selfless spirit” in a written statement emailed to the L-E.
“While he will be dearly missed,” Bishop said, “his legacy of service to God, country and humanity will endure for generations to come.”
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This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 9:59 AM.
