Elder T. L. Blalock who spent fifty six years in China, under dangers and hardships in conditions that would have sent less heroic spirit home.

Mr. Blalock was born in western North Carolina under the shadow of our highest mountain, Mitchell's Peak, Grand Father and the Roan. Yes, in the midst of scenery that challenges the world of beauty and grandeur. In the midst of privations common to the small mountain farmer and pastor, who at the time preached to his people without money and without price. There were, nevertheless, those who from those glorious hilltops, saw a world lost in sin. These, in their zeal and sacrifice, won this land of skies to Christ and made it a great Baptist stronghold. Some saw beyond these hilltops nations beyond the seas, and beyond the reach of mortal vision.

Elder Thomas L. Blalock was one of the three ministers to come out of this mountain home, he being the oldest of the three. Elder Reuben Y. Blalock sought even more primitive conditions on the Pacific coast than about his native home. And he, in his new field, went about preaching, establishing churches, tireless in a ministry that covered many years. Elder Jesse Blalock, the youngest brother, stayed in the home state doing a fine service as pastor of churches in Piedmont and western North Carolina. Their father, Elder John C. Blalock and their mother, made a Christian home out of which flowed influences reaching to the ends of the earth. Blessed is such a home. As long as their mother and father lived, the sons turned with glad harts to this earthly shrine, as did many others who shared the hospitality offered to all who sought its shelter.

Spouse:
Emma Humphries (*c. 1870 Person Co.). Died and buried in China.