On Saturday, April 26th, 2025, God called another angel home. Reverend Luther McLendon Jr. was born September 3rd, 1947, in Craven County North Carolina to the late Luther McLendon and Leola McLendon.

He attended Henry Grove Elementary and High School. He worked in the textile industry and retired from Burlington Industries in Rockingham, NC. He did his trial sermon in 1983 at Henry Grove Baptist Church where he was a member during which he preached at various churches in Anson County.

His best friend the late Rev. David T. Richardson introduced him to the AME Zion Church where he joined and pastored Pleasant Hill AME Zion Church. He also pastored New Diggs Chapel AME Zion Church, New Bethel AME Zion Church, retiring at Galilee AME Zion Church after serving for twenty-three and a half years at this charge totaling forty years as a pastor in AME Zion Church on the Rockingham District. He served in various positions on the local level of the church and preached at District and Annual Conference as well as revivals in North and South Carolina. He attended Livingstone College to further develop and hone his skills as an outstanding pastor and spiritual leader.

He leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife, Shirley McLendon. He was blessed with eight children: LaDonna McLendon (preceded in death), Lennox McLendon (preceded in death), Anita McLendon-Rush, Ophelia McLendon-Sturdivant (E-learn), Arnold McLendon (Andrea), Sharon Rivers, Gus Robinson Jr. (LaShonda), and Melissa Robinson.

He leaves three brothers Rev. Dr. David McLendon (Tojuana), Bishop Dr. Johnnie F. McLendon (Barbara), and Michael O’Neal McLendon (Marion), and seven sisters Bertha McLendon (preceded in death), Evangelist Maxine McLendon, Rev. Dr. Bernice Bennett (Samuel), Juanita Barnes (Willie), Minister Carolyn Spencer (Derrick), Sharon Roberts (Antonio), Joyce Mainor (Frankie).

Eleven grandchildren: Marcale, Diamond, Sheniya, Skylar, Nevaeh, Nolan, Nakayla, India, Josiah, Alecia, and Jasmine. Eight great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A special friend, Rev. Robert J. Ingram.

The McLendon Family would like to send their sincerest thank you to all the caregivers to include Maudestine Rorie and Roshay Baucom. They also would like to thank all the Atrium Health Hospice House staff.

The Services to Honor the Life and Legacy of Reverend McLendon will be on Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2:00pm, Smith's Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina 28170. Interment will follow in the McLendon Family Plot of the Henry Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Lilesville, North Carolina.

The McLendon Family will greet family and friends on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 1:30-2:00pm at Smith's Memorial Chapel and at all other times at the family residence.

The services will be live-streamed on Facebook from H.C. Smith Funeral Home page.