Dr. John Bennett McBride

Dr. John Bennett McBride (85) was called home on September 15, 2017. A tireless and loving servant of the Lord throughout his life, John embodied the love and work of Jesus Christ in the many lives he touched. John was born to Leroy Jefferson and Mary Sandifer McBride on January 5, 1932, in Jackson, Mississippi. He attended Byram High School and there met Ora Lynn Luster who became his wife on February 22, 1952. John received a B.A. in Sociology, Bible and Speech in 1953 from Mississippi College. In 1957 he graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity, Philosophy of Religion. He served as pastor of rural Baptist churches in small towns of Mississippi. His work included developing a seminary for black pastors where he served as dean and helped advance the civil rights movement in rural Mississippi. John’s work continued in Merigold with the Boliver County Baptist Association and later at the Rankin County Baptist Association in Jackson. During these times, John and Lynn raised 4 children and fostered another. Lynn was always an integral part of his work. They later moved to Georgia where both worked with the Southern Baptist Home Missions Board in Atlanta. From there John was part of the work that formed the Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA), a non-denominational, non-profit working with people and communities in Appalachia to improve lives and conditions in impoverished areas. He became Assistant Director and moved his family to Knoxville, Tennessee, and later served as Director. John and Lynn were then called to Pascagoula, Mississippi and Jackson, Mississippi in positions as State Missions Director, Mississippi Board of Missions. Always learning, John received his Doctor of Ministry (DMM) degree with a focus on Revitalization of Church Organizations in 1985 from McCormick Theological Seminary of Chicago. In Memphis he served as Executive Director of the Shelby Baptist Association of Churches. He retired in 1997 before being called to Hazelhurst, Mississippi as Director of the Copiah County Baptist Association. John’s vision there helped to create The Master’s House, a gathering space for the community to share in God’s love and bring people of all races together. John and Lynn then retired to Knoxville, Tennessee. He didn’t stay retired long and became pastor at Marble City Baptist Church from 2010-2014. John loved bringing people together. He loved fishing and hunting but mostly he loved learning, helping to build lives and offer support whenever he could. He and Lynn moved to Parkview Retirement Community last fall and quickly fell in love with the people and relaxed lifestyle. John began a fellowship get-together that met on Wednesdays with a focus on bringing people together in a spiritual quest, not only through Bible study but by shared experiences and learning to embrace the present and rejoice in the everyday. He and Lynn are members of Central Baptist Church Bearden. John and Lynn celebrated 65 years of marriage in February surrounded by family and friends. He leaves his wife, Ora Lynn Luster McBride, children Rebecca Lynn McBride and fiancé James, John Vincent (Jay) McBride and wife Marga, Beverly Camille McBride Wooldridge and husband Chuck, and Jeffery Miles McBride and wife Paula, as well as 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2017, Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with the Rev. Mark Moreland officiating. Interment will take place 9:30 a.m., Thursday, September 21, Edgewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m., preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Baptist Bearden Missions, 6900 Deane Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. On-line condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.

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Dr. John Bennett McBride

January 5, 1932 - September 15, 2017