Dr. Michael Dempsey McLemore

Dr. Michael Dempsey McLemore, age 69, of Shelby County, AL, passed away on Saturday morning, February 10, 2018. In January, the Athens, AL native celebrated his 50th year of pastoral ministry, most recently as executive director of the Birmingham Baptist Association (BBA).

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham. A Celebration of "Brother Mike's" Life and Legacy will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Lakeside Baptist, and burial will follow at Limestone Memorial Gardens in Athens.

Brother Mike and his wife of 47 years, Athens native Wanda Casteel McLemore, have three adult children, Brandon (Leigh) McLemore of Birmingham, Britney (Andy John) King of Athens, and Bonnie (Luke) Britt of Birmingham; and six grandchildren, Molly and Mason McLemore, Kole and Adason Britt, and Davis and Noelle King. Brother Mike is also survived by his mother, Virginia McLemore; brother, Dusty (Patsy) McLemore; sister, Ginger (Granville) Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In September 1983, Brother Mike became the Senior Pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church, Birmingham until he become BBA Executive Director in February 2007.

Throughout his pastoral ministry, he served at many levels of Southern Baptist Life. He served as First-Vice President of the Alabama State Convention (1999-2000), and was elected President of the Alabama Baptist State Convention (2001-2002). He served on the Committee on Committees and the Tellers Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and was currently a trustee of the North Anerican Mission Board, SBC.

Dr. McLemore was a graduate of Tanner High School (1966) and attended John C. Calhoun Junior College, Athens. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-1973.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Samford University (1976) in Birmingham and a Master of Divinity Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1979). In May 2002, he was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the University of Mobile, AL.

Memorial gifts may be made in Brother Mike McLemore's honor to the Birmingham Baptist Association, designated for the Caring Hands Ministry at Brookwood Medical Center.