McLellan Sr, John Simpson

John Simpson McLellan, Sr., 72, passed away on Thursday, November 04, 2010 at Hospice House in Lumberton, NC. He was born on April 14, 1938 in Barnesville Community to the late Quinton Asher and Fannie Walters McLellan. A graduate of Barnesville High School, John served in the United States Navy before completing his undergraduate degree of business from UNC-Pembroke. In 1978, John and his wife, Ruth Ann opened Johns Restaurant in Lumberton. For 29 years, Johns hosted families celebrating all occasions, businesses entertaining clients and tourists traveling the interstate to further destinations. John held a strong belief that business people should actively support their industry. As such, John was past-chairman of the North Carolina Restaurant Association, serving on the NCRA Board of Directors from 1991-2006. In 2003, he was presented with the “Griff” and June Glover Award for Distinguished Service in the industry. Also, John served on the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board working to attract visitors to the state. As well, he was a member of the Lumberton Tourism Development Authority working locally with the Lumberton Area Visitor‘s Bureau. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Ruth Ann Baker McLellan, of Lumberton; his daughter, Stephanie McLellan Bass, and husband, Wil, of Clayton; his son, John Simpson McLellan, Jr., and wife, Mandy, of Elgin, Illinois; his three grandchildren: Anne Kathryn Bass of Clayton; John “Jack” Simpson McLellan, III and Colin Porter McLellan of Elgin, Illinois. John is also survived by his sister, Peggy McLellan Lewis, of Fairmont and by his brothers: Quinton Asher McLellan, Jr. of Rockville, Maryland; Albert Huckaby McLellan of Orrum; and Archie Kinnon McLellan of South Hill, Virginia. John treasured all of his family, including numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who survive him. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Baker McLellan of Lumberton, his brother, W.R. McLellan, of Fairmont; and his brother, Duncan Preston McLellan, of Hampton, Virginia. A celebration of life for John will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Chestnut Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Little officiating. Visitation will follow the service at the church. In honor of John‘s generosity and lifelong practice of giving, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Lumberton, 1310 N. Seneca Street, Lumberton, NC 28358 or Chestnut Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1464, Lumberton, NC 28359.