Carolyn Frances Ripley McClure

Carolyn Frances Ripley McClure walked thru the Valley of the Shadow of Death on October 26, 2010, and is now with her Heavenly Father, Yahweh. She passed into the Glory of Heaven from her home in Kingsbridge.

The youngest daughter of the late Cabell and Nola Sinar Ripley, she was born May 9, 1929 in Hinton, WV. Her family moved to Richmond, Virginia, where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and Smithfield Business College. She then moved to Greenville, SC where she met the love of her life, Bob McClure. Together the McClure’s shared a life of Christian ministry serving first at Paperville Baptist Church in Bristol, VA. They helped found Dan Graham Bible College, Bristol, TN and together founded Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, SC. As a partner with her husband in numerous ministry and business entities, Fran contributed to the success of such ventures as Missionary Broadcasters, Inc., Tower Power, Inc., builder and operator of a number of Christian radio stations, Tracts, Inc., and Globe Missions. She was a gifted entrepreneur, founding or cofounding multiple corporate enterprises, including International Plastics, Inc.

As a Bible teacher and faithful disciple of Christ, Fran traveled regularly to the Holy Land as a teaching tour leader. Her love for travel led her to many countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and Haiti. Her seeds of faith have been scattered around the world. A passionate, devoted student of the Scriptures, she dedicated a great deal of her life to researching and teaching others the Bible’s truths, particularly the Divine and Ineffable Name of Yahweh.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister, Fran loved freely, gave generously, and served extravagantly. She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, John Robert McClure, five children and their spouses: Rob McClure, Steve and Susan McClure, Carolyn and Jim Robinson, Jon and Deborah McClure and Mark and Susan McClure; fifteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, a sister Jean Thrift of Richmond, VA, and a brother, Ed Ripley of San Jose, CA. She is predeceased by sisters, Ruby Lyons, Muriel Moore, Lorene Harvey and a brother, Kenneth Ripley.

A celebration of her life and legacy will be held at Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Taylors, SC, where she was a member. Services will begin at 2:30 on October 31, 2010. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service at a reception in her honor. A private burial is planned at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, SC.

Memorials in her memory may be made to Open Door Baptist Missions, 1115 Pelham Road, Greenville, SC 29615-3603.

www.woodlawn-fh.com

The Tree in the Garden

Outside my window, stands a tree dressed in white,

It looks like it turned that way, just overnight

But many long hours, in toiling and stress

In the coldness of winter, she secretly dressed

No eye could see, no person behold

The life processes working in limbs, barren and cold

Yet one beautiful morning my eyes now could see,

What Yahweh was preparing for you and for me

The Resurrection power lay deep from within,

And no force could contain life as it burst forth on limb

I see in this tree that is all dressed in white,

My blessed Redeemer as He lay through the night

No one could behold what took place in that tomb,

But the third day beheld Him, His glory did loom

He did not lie dormant, no corruption did He see

He was raised, as He said, to redeem you and me

What a glorious experience to partake of this tree,

That stands in the garden, for you and for me

Thank you Yahshua for this tree dressed in white,

for your garments are spotless and your robes are pure white

In your gracious abundance boughs spread over the earth

Bidding “Come Unto Me and Accept the Re-birth”

As we are born of His Spirit, and His life He imparts,

We shall be raised from the darkness, as He lives in our hearts

His life-giving presence will forever abide

As we walk in the garden each day side by side

— Frances McClure, April 1985

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Greenville, SC.