Elder John R. Respess lived most of his life in Butler, Georgia. In R. H. Pittman's Biography of Ministers, it says of him "As a pupil in his early school days, he was bright and studious and graduated at the University of Georgia, admitted to the bar, with every promise of success in his chosen profession of Law. Some years afterward he was deeply exercised in mind about his spiritual condition, and was given a hope in the Savior, united with Ebenezer church and was soon ordained.".

Elder W.C. Cleveland wrote of him, "He graduated with distinction at Franklin College, the University of the state, in the class of several of Georgia's noted sons. He returned home and was soon admitted to the Bar with the intention, and the ability to do so, of hewing out for himself fame and fortune in the things of this life, and soon took, as a young lawyer, the front rank, with every indication of a bright future in his profession. But God willed with him otherwise. He had for him a nobler and a better usefulness, one which victory is won through suffering and sacrifice. But in so calling him to a different field of labor, it was at no expense of the great natural abilities which He had already endowed him; in fact through the Spirit's power, they were strengthened, utilized, and constantly grew, thereby making his life more and more useful to the children of men. Many a man possessed of his natural and spiritual abilities, would soon forgotten his high calling, and become vain and proud, especially when added to these gifts, was the love and admiration of all who knew him."

Elder Sylvester Hassell wrote, "I never knew a wiser, humbler, gentler, more unselfish, more Christ-like person than dear Brother Respess. He was more willing to be trampled on by the whole church if thereby the name of Christ could be exalted. If his enemies spoke evil of him, he would say 'perhaps it is so, perhaps it is so.' ---- and he would speak well of them. If they deeply injured and wronged him, he would astonish me by ascribing them the most charitable motives."

Elder Respess wrote one book, "Naaman the Syrian." He was the founder and was for 15 years, the editor of "The Gospel Messenger" which was one of the greatest religious papers ever published. It was sold to Sylvester Hassell after Elder Respess's death in 1895. Today it is known as the "Advocate and Messenger". The Messenger, under Respess, was a very intelligent, scholarly and edifying periodical.