Pastor Joe McLendon

Reverend Joseph David McLendon, age 69, of Youngstown, Florida, went to his heavenly home March 20, 2024, in Youngstown. Born November 28, 1954, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Joe was the youngest of six children of Reverend Joseph Curtis McLendon, Jr. and Mary Frances Lane McLendon.

 He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Tracy Byerly McLendon; five children, Jacob McLendon, Youngstown, Justin McLendon (Audra) Lynn Haven, FL, Joanna Olson (Nathaniel) Nome, Alaska, Jaclyn Costanzo (Joey),Santa Rosa Beach, and Dr. Jordan McLendon, Portland, Oregon; twelve grandchildren, Nathaniel, Shelby, David, and Maddie McLendon; Sadie, Mabel, Ruby, and William Olson; and Alexis, Isabella, Elinor, and JoJo Costanzo; three sisters, Judy Oakley, Natchitoches, Louisiana, Janet Wiley, Fort Walton Beach, and Jackie Hails, Fort Walton Beach; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, in-laws, Dalton and Ernestine Byerly; siblings, Gail Kirkland and Michael DeShong; sister-in-law, Gwen DeShong; brother-in-law, Paul Oakley; and great nephew, Gannon DeShong.

Joe loved working with his hands. He created many things out of the cedar trees that fell during Hurricane Michael in 2018.  He created picture frames, two tables and a cedar chest that represented the Ark of the Covenant. All his projects were plans he had in his mind, so they were all original pieces. He loved mowing the yard with his new fast lawnmower saying it only takes an hour now instead of the two. He planted fruit trees and just this year all three pear trees are loaded with blooms, even the Bartlett that had never bloomed before. He planted three rose bushes with each color representing his three daughters. He graduated from East Texas Baptist College (now a university) with a BA in Marshall, TX in 1979. Joe also went to mortuary school in Houston, TX becoming a licensed funeral director in 1995. In 2010, he became a minister and was ordained in February 2020. He pastored for fourteen years at Youngstown Baptist Church in Youngstown, FL. He loved sports and especially loved the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues hockey team ever since he lived in St. Louis as a teenager.  After two of his daughters graduated from UF he loved the Florida Gators. Joe’s beloved dog, Charlie, misses his dad and watches the door for him to come home. We will all miss his humor, wit, and wisdom. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and served Him well. Now, he is there in heaven complete and whole. He was working on his sermon, and it was to be titled, “For Me to Live is Christ” Philippians 1:12-24.” according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20-21  May God be glorified through this celebration of Joe’s going home to be with his Lord. 

A poem written by our daughter Joanna:

Mullet fishing in the bay, Oh, what a glorious day! With our Dad. Riding in the car at night; Safe from all that causes fright, With our Dad. Sitting on a sandy shore, Pondering all God has in store, With our Dad. Now the Savior holds his hand, Walking in the Promised Land, With our Dad. All our loved ones gather round, Angels sing; their joy unbound, With our Dad. The Vision of our Shepherd’s Face, We long to see His loving gaze, With our Dad. Side by side, we won’t despair, Heaven waits; we know Who’s there, With our Dad. One day we’ll rest in God’s sweet plan, Reunited once again, With our Dad.

A time of visitation will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Youngstown Baptist Church, 12005 Highway 231, Youngstown, Florida 32466, from 5:00 p.m until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Youngstown Baptist Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. David Hecht officiating. Committal services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery in DeFuniak Springs.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of Bonifay.