Covenant Presbytery v. First Baptist Church

| iThis appeal presents a dispute between church entities about who takes what under a testamentary trust. The circuit court ruled for First Baptist Church. Covenant Presbytery appeals that decision. We agree with Covenant Presbytery and therefore reverse on direct appeal, which moots First Baptist’s cross-appeal.

I. Facts

■ Stanley Carpenter died testate in 1967. His last will and testament was administrated through the Mississippi County Probate Court, and the court appointed National Bank of Commerce in Memphis, Tennessee, as the executor and trustee of the | ^estate. From 1967 to 2005,…