MACON, Ga. — Howard P. Giddens, who taught and mentored ministerial students at Mercer University for decades, died June 16. He is survived by his wife, Gladys.

Giddens left the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Athens, Ga., in 1967 to teach in the Christianity department at Mercer. The Giddenses, who had no children of their own, lived for many years on the university campus and are credited with shaping students' lives beyond the classroom.

Michael Ruffin, pastor of The Hill Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga., is one of the former ministerial students who credits Giddens for his strong, positive influence. Last year, Mercer University Press released Why Be a Christian? The Sermons of Howard P. Giddens, edited by Ruffin.

Giddens was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon and served as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention in 1958-1960.