Robert Eugene Fannin

Family

Fannin was born in Ashland, Kentucky, but spent his childhood in Brooksville, Florida. In March 1956 he married Faye Thomas of Wauchula, Florida. They met while students at Florida Southern College. They have three children: Stephanie, Allison and Robb; and seven grandchildren.

Education and Business Career

Robert earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Florida Southern. He earned his M.Div. degree and a Doctorate of Sacred Theology from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. His doctoral project dealt with the local minister’s professional relationship to other helping professions.

Before entering the ministry, Robert was part of the J.C. Penney management training program, served in the U.S. Army, and became a representative for Burroughs Corporation. He is also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Ordained Ministry

Following completion of his doctoral studies, the Rev. Dr. Fannin served churches in the Florida Annual Conference of the U.M. Church, pastoring in Lake Alfred, Gainesville and Stuart. In June 1986, he was appointed Superintendent of the Miami District. Then in June 1991, he was appointed to First U.M.C. of Lakeland, Florida.

He served the Florida Annual Conference as the Chairperson of the Board of Ordained Ministry, as President of the Credit Union, and as Chairperson of the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry. He served the larger Church as a member of the U.M. General Council on Ministries and as President of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Court of Appeals. He also participated on the faculties of Schools of Christian Mission around the Southeastern United States for many years.

Episcopal Ministry

Bishop Fannin was elected by the 1992 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the U.M. Church. He was assigned to the Birmingham Episcopal Area (the North Alabama Annual Conference).

Bishop Fannin’s hobbies include camping, racquetball and walking.