John L. McPherson, 100, of Cleveland, Tennessee, died on Thursday, October 1, 2015.
He was born in Kentucky on June 10, 1915. He spent most of his working years in Virginia, and has lived in Cleveland since 1972. In his early years, John was a coal miner in Kentucky and Virginia. He often told many stories of his experiences in the coal mines. After he was saved, he felt a calling to ministry, and he pastored churches in Virginia and Maryland. Among the churches he pastored in Virginia were Alexandria, North Danville, and Bluefield. While pastoring, he also organized other churches, including Rose Hill, Elliston, and Winchester.John loved gospel music. He taught himself to play the guitar and piano, he had a singing family, and was always ready to sing whenever he was asked. He was also known to volunteer to sing on some occasions. John and his wife Frances sang at the North Cleveland Towers, Bradley Health Care, and in several churches in the Cleveland area.One of John’s greatest pleasures was his golf game. He began golfing in the late 1950’s and continued until he was in his 90’s. He was an avid and competitive golfer, and he loved the challenge of younger golfers. He has many trophies and plaques to his credit as a champion. One of the greatest prides of his game were seven holes-in-one. John golfed to win! In June, John celebrated his 100th birthday with some of his family and a few friends at Bradley Health Care where he has been a resident since December, 2014. To summarize John’s life would be to say that he did it his way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ethel; his four siblings; and his beloved wife Frances of more than 72 years.
He is survived by three children, Carolyn (Randy) Hodges of South Carolina, Kerry McPherson and Rodney McPherson (Angela), all of Cleveland; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of the Life and Home Going of Rev. John L. McPherson will be held Monday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. at Grissom-Serenity Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Fred Mercer and Dr. G. Dennis McGuire officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with Blake McPherson, Tanya Weldon, Dustin McPherson, Rothel Forgey, John Pickens, Stacie McPherson, Dave McClain and Jamie Turner serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends Monday, Oct. 5 from noon until the time of service at the funeral home.
You may send online condolences and view the obituary at www.grissomserenity.com. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Grissom-Serenity Funeral Home, Mark S. Grissom Funeral Director.