Rev. Phil Clark McLain

Rev. Phil Clark McLain, 94, of Marietta, GA, passed away peacefully at his home on March 4, 2020, after a long illness. Phil was born on July 21, 1925, in Miami, Florida, to the late Martha (Mattie) C. and Phil C. McLain. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Mary Pirie.

After graduating high school in the Miami area, Phil joined the United States army in 1943, where he served with honor in both the European and Pacific theaters of operation during World War II. He was awarded THE BRONZE STAR METAL for meritorious achievement in ground combat.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, Phil attended Bethel College and Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN, where he received a B.A. in American Literature, followed by an M.A. of Divinity. In 1956, he was examined and publicly ordained a Baptist Minister with the Baptist General Conference (now CONVERGE). This was the beginning of a nearly 40-year ministry, during which he touched many lives. Phil’s service as a Pastor took him and his family across the country. He ministered to Baptist churches in Cadott, WI, Cornell, WI, Ely, MN, Anaconda, MT, Estes Park, CO, and Manistee, MI.

In 1982, Phil stopped his work as a church Minister, but his service in Christ continued. He and his wife Edna moved to Marietta, GA, where he joined the staff of Grace Fellowship International as a fulltime Christian Counselor, a role he continued for 11 years, until his retirement in 1993. During this time, Phil and his wife became members of Grace Community Church in Marietta, where he served as a member of the Elder Board for over 20 years and remained in an Elder Emeritus role until his death.

Phil was a gifted craftsman and enjoyed spending a great deal of his free time completing the renovation of their family home in Marietta. He learned cabinetry and completed the construction of a large addition to their house, working almost entirely on his own. He also loved landscaping, singing,

“garage sailing” with his wife, and sharing humorous stories with family and friends.

Phil married Edna McLain (Renstrom) on June 5, 1948, in her hometown of Mora, MN. Edna and Phil enjoyed 71 years of sharing their lives together. She continues to live in their Marietta home. He is also survived by their three children, Carol Solberg of White Bear Lake, MN, Phil C. McLain, MD, of Marietta, GA, and Jean Schmidt of Orlando, FL. There are seven grandchildren – Dory, Phil, Derek, Melissa, Dane, Alise, and Ian – and 11 great-grandchildren.

There will be a family gathering in memory of Phil. There will be a memorial service at a later date. Interment with military honors will take place at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Community Church Building Fund. The family is being assisted by Woodstock Funeral Home, 8855 Main St, Woodstock, GA 30188.