Dr. Paul L. Saylors

“Enter in good and faithful servant” are the words Dr. Paul L. Saylors heard God speak when he entered the gates of heaven on June 8th, 2026. He was 72. Dr. Saylors was the youngest child of William M. Saylors, Sr. and Melba Blankenship Saylors and the younger brother of Patricia Saylors Luttrell and William M. Saylors, Jr.. All of Dr. Saylors’ immediate family have all preceded him in death. Several nieces and nephews from Dr. Saylors family survive him. Dr. Saylors was married to, served with and is survived by Danita Ann Cash Saylors. They were married for 45 years. Their marriage was blessed with one child, a great joy, Chelsea Ann Saylors. Dr. Saylors father-in-law, Norris O. Cash preceded him in death. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Peggy Ann Prater Cash and two brothers-in-law and wives Randall and Sue Cash of Tyler, Texas and Bryan and Carol Cash of Cibolo, Texas. He is also survived by three nephews and spouses; Nathan and Molly Cash of Tyler, Texas, Jordan and Corrie Cash of New Braunfels, Jared and Jessica Cash of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also survived by nephew Ryan Cash of Tyler, Texas. Dr. Saylors received his Associate of Arts degree from Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas. His Master of Arts and Doctor of Educational Ministry degrees were earned at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Beginning his career Dr. Saylors served as the Director of Activities at Central Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas. From there he became the Director of Admissions and then Associate Vice President for Development at East Texas Baptist University. In 1989 Dr. Saylors became the Pastor at Southern Oaks Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas where he served for over seven years. From there Dr. Saylors served as the Executive Director of Smith Baptist Association in Tyler, Texas and then on to the Baptist General Convention of Texas as the East Texas Regional Associate Executive Director. During his tenure at the BGCT Dr. Saylors earned and was awarded his Doctor of Educational Ministry degree. Dr. Saylors continued his career in ministry by serving as Pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, First Baptist Church of Troup, Texas and Liberty Baptist Church in Hawkins, Texas. He also served as the Interim Pastor of sixteen Texas Baptist churches. The legacy of Dr. Saylors spread far and wide across the state of Texas. Through the work of his ministry as a pastor, preacher, teacher, neighbor, and friend, he served the Lord he loved faithfully and well. As he fought serious illness in the last few years of his life, he would pray and attempt to joke with the medical workers around him. Even as those who loved him here grieve his absence, we rejoice in his healing and in the knowledge that we will be reunited with him in eternity. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Paul Saylors Endowed Scholarship Fund at East Texas Baptist University, either online at https://www.etbu.edu/about-etbu/give or by mail to University Advancement, One Tiger Drive, Marshall, TX 75670.

Dr. Paul L. Saylors

February 6, 1954 - June 8, 2026