Linda McClelland, 77

Linda Louise McClelland, a servant and faithful follower of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, died peacefully in her home at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. She was 77 years old.

Linda’s testimony was and will always be the way she lived her life. She loved the Lord, and that was obvious to all who had the honor of meeting her.

A fiery redhead, Linda was one of a kind. She was ambitious, energetic and immediately loveable. She was a good wife, a loving mother and an exceptional grandmother. Next to God, family was the most important part of her life, and she loved spending time with them. She cared for everyone and consistently went out of her way to help those in need. She was one of God’s true prayer warriors.

Linda was born in Loveland, Ohio on May 13, 1947 to Donald Glenn and Margaret Louise (Harris) Paytes. She was the oldest of 10 children born to Donald and Margaret. Her brothers and sisters include: Donald, Gene, Jack, Gayle, Vicki, Timothy, Jenny, Penny and Mark.

She graduated from Loveland High School before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree at God’s Bible School and College. Later, she completed her Master of Education degree at the University of Cincinnati and obtained a Doctor of Ministry at Luther Rice University.

On June 14, 1969, Linda married her true love, Paul Edgar McClelland, who she had met at God’s Bible School and College. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful life raising three sons, Eric (and his wife, Kimberly), Victor (and his wife, Jessica), and Andrew (and his wife, Alexis). Linda was blessed to be the grandmother of eight, including Chelsea, Isac, Isabelle, Isaiah, Jayden, Raelyn, Gabriel and Margaret.

Together, Linda and Paul responded to a divine calling on their lives and from December 1974 to May 1988 served as missionaries in the Philippines. The encounter with the Filipino people would forever change their lives. During their time of missionary service, Linda joined with locals to hand-forge cement blocks that were used to build a Bible school.

The couple never stopped loving or praying for the Filipino people and many of those relationships built during their time in the Philippines continue today. Linda’s nurturing spirit extended beyond her immediate family, as she lovingly cared for her Filipino family: Sonia, Rosie, Noemi, and Mila, and was grandmother to their children.

Upon returning to the United States, Linda served as a professor at Florida Community College at Jacksonville from 1994 to 2013.

She was preceded in death by her father. All other family members survive including her loving mother.

Linda’s funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Springs Chapel, 1106 N Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs, Florida. At Linda’s request, her son, Eric, will bring the message.

A celebration service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the American Legion/VFW, 897 Oakland Rd., Loveland, Ohio 45140. A celebration service is also being planned in the Philippines.