Wallace Cleveland McGill, Jr., D.Min., of Chattanooga, died on January 9, 2013. He was 84.
Born on July 24, 1928 in Wiggins, Mississippi to Wallace C. and Vera G. McGill, he was a graduate of George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Wallace pastored Rolling Fields Baptist in Jeffersonville, In.; First Baptist Lebanon Junction, Ky.; Second Avenue Rome, Ga., First Baptist Cartersville, Ga., and Flintstone Georgia Baptist; Oakwood Baptist Chattanooga and East Ridge Baptist, where he retired from his 60+ years of pastoral ministry. He continued to be very active at First Baptist as a teacher in the Waters Class while participating in many other FBC activities.
His ministry was about people and he was ever the humble servant with a passion for service and the needs of others. Dr. McGill was recognized as a progressive Baptist leader mindful of opportunities to minister in innovative ways. An avid reader, he felt it was essential to be attuned to the role of the church in the community and how best to be a beacon of hope and ministry. The wisdom he displayed through the spoken word and expressions of humor was evidence of the spiritual foundation he thought essential.
The youngest of his parent’s children, Wallace was preceded in death by his loving sisters, Madge Doris and Mary Hatten, and faithful brothers, Harmon and Woodrow.
Wallace and his wife of 61 years Marjorie Ruth Wilson were married in Old Hickory, Tn., where he served on the ministerial staff of First Baptist. In addition to Marjorie, he will be greatly missed by his children Timothy and Kathy McGill of McMinnville, Tn., and their children, Joseph (Whitney and daughter Emery), Elisabeth and Jonathan; Andrew and Mary McGill of Chattanooga, and their children, Cathryn and Philip; Charlie and Laura Cooper of Chattanooga, and their children, Natalie and Loftin. He will be dearly missed by his extended family and countless friends from his many pastorates.
Wallace and Marjorie enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family and dear friends. He took special joy in his trips to the Holy Land and was a passionate fan of his Volunteers. A Kiwanian, he was honored to be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Downtown Rotary Club.
A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Golden Gateway with Dr. Thomas Quisenberry officiating. Members of the Waters Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation will be held from noon until the service in the Narthex at First Baptist and for one half hour following. A private family burial will follow.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Atlanta) or Baptists Today (Macon, Ga.).
Visit www.heritage.com to share words of comfort to his family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.