Laverne McClintock
Born on May 16, 1923, Reverend Laverne L. McClintock, the wife of General Sunday School Director E.J. McClintock, passed from this life on January 18,1997. From a small girl, Sister McClintock had a tender heart for the things of God, perhaps because of her wonderful God-fearing Pentecostal mother, Eva Brown. As a young girl Laverne Brown and Nettie Tubbs (Kepler) became great friends, attending youth rallies and fellowship meetings in southern Illinois. Then at the age of 17, Sister McClintock was converted in a revival conducted by Reverend Kenneth Reeves at the church in Bush, Illinois. Soon she felt the call to preach. Her pastor, Reverend Willie Smith, was a great inspiration to her and helped her in sermon preparation.
During these youthful years, she preached revivals in many churches and cities in southern Illinois. In one notable revival in Murphysboro, Illinois, where Brother White was the pastor, about 20 people repented, were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and were filled with the Holy Ghost. Nettie Tubbs and Laverne Brown held several revivals together in Illinois. Brother M.J. Wolff, District Superintendent of the Illinois District, encouraged these two young lady preachers, who helped start a church in Antioch, Illinois, with a revival in a tent. At the age of 22, Laverne attended Pentecostal Bible Institute in Tupelo, Mississippi. She was a member of the pioneer class in 1945. Others attending this pioneer year included Reverend C.M. Becton, Reverend Charlie Yadon, Gracie Yadon, Bernice Fivecoats, Kathleen Higgerson, and Clara Eason.
After the first year of school, five girls from Pentecostal Bible Institute traveled during the summer in the Northwest, preaching and singing. The second church they preached in was at Twin Falls, Idaho, where a young man, Eugene J. McClintock, was pastoring. Less than one year later, on February 16, 1947, Laverne and Eugene were married in Twin Falls, Idaho, by Reverend Ellis Scism, who was the District Superintendent of the Northwest District of the Pentecostal Church, Inc. (P.C.I.). That summer, they left Twin Falls to evangelize for six months before returning to Tupelo where both finished their Bible school training. They pastored for ten years in Aberdeen, Mississippi, and Brother McClintock also taught at Pentecostal Bible Institute.
For the next 20 years, the state of Illinois became their field of labor. They pastored in Dupo for four years and in Mount Vernon for 16 years. Sister McClintock was a great teacher who taught either the young people or the young married classes in each church they pastored. She was an outstanding preacher, preaching in Brother McClintock's absence when he was away in district Sunday school work.
The last years of her life were spent in much pain as her body deteriorated due to rheumatoid arthritis. In spite of her intense pain over many years, she left us an example of being faithful to the end. Her memorial service was held at the New Life Pentecostal Church, Bridgeton, Missouri. Those officiating were Reverend Ronald Nation, General Sunday School Secretary; Reverend Jerry Jones, Pastor; Reverend C.M. Becton, General Secretary of the United Pentecostal Church International; and Reverend N.A. Urshan, General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International, who brought the closing message. Her grandson, Jonathan McClintock, sang, "Beyond," and Sister Jean Urshan sang, "His Eye Is On the Sparrow." Sister Nettie Kepler gave an account of Laverne in her youth. Her son, Nathan Eugene, representing her children, gave a tribute to their mother. Burial was in Kirk Cemetery near Mount Vernon, Illinois. Sister McClintock left behind her husband, Reverend E.J. McClintock; four sons: Nathan Eugene, Calvin Wayne, Joseph Ralph, and Mark Jerome; nine grandchildren: Jonathan, Holly, Michelle, Malorie, Meagan, Mikelle, Brittany, Misty, and Zane. What a glorious morning awaits all of God's children!