John Monroe Clements

John Monroe Clements, age 86, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Lumber City Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family. He was born and raised in Wheeler County, one of three children on an expansive farm outside of McRae. As a young person, he loved reading books, talking about politics, working hard in school, and running track. As a teenager, he attended Indian Springs Camp Meeting and surrendered to Jesus – a decision that changed his heart and life forever. This encounter led to a call to ministry and devotion to following Christ. A man of deep faith, he spent much of his life on long prayer walks in the countryside, studying his Bible, investing in the lives of his parishioners, and helping people find their way to Christ.

He attended Asbury College in Kentucky, where he studied Bible, theology, and philosophy, as well as a young co-ed from Minnesota named Lois Renner, who was preparing to be a schoolteacher. The two were married after their junior year of college, and after he completed a divinity degree at Asbury Theological Seminary, the two of them set out on a life of service and ministry in the United Methodist Church. One of the greatest honors of his life was his 41 years of ministry, serving in churches all across South Georgia. He never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone he ran into about life, faith, and most important of all, Jesus. Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and the power of living a Spirit-filled life brought him great joy. Countless parishioners were impacted by his tireless service, listening ear, and encouraging spirit, pointing them to the One they were looking for.
 

Nothing made him prouder than his three sons, and conversations were always lively around the dinner table. All four of them were devoted to Lois, the heart of their family and their home. Heartbreakingly, she lost an eleven-year battle with cancer in 1992. Later, John remarried a dear family friend, Noni Carlson, and the two partnered together in the final years of his formal ministry. They retired in 1999 to live at the family farm, and of course, their ministry continued as they opened their hearts and home to family and friends through the years, until Noni went to be with Jesus in 2014. The final chapter of his life was shared with his third wife, Jeanette Cannady, a fabulous godsend who brought him love, companionship, and selfless care in his last days.
 

Across the years – in formal and informal settings—John impacted everyone he met. His willingness to strike up a conversation, his peculiar questions, his delightful sense of humor, and his devotion to Jesus, ALL these left a mark on the people of South Georgia, and the ripple effects of his life will be felt in eternity. His intentional, delightful, faithful spirit will be sorely missed in this world and in our lives.
 

Mr. Clements is survived by his wife: Jeanette Page Clements; three sons: Steve (Markie) Clements of Wilmore, KY, Dan (Wendy) Clements of Lawrenceville, GA, and Paul (Sharon) Clements of Lexington, KY; four step-daughters: Ruth (Mike) Moore of Thayne, WY, Martha (Brian) Rudd of Lawrenceville, GA, Miriam (Jerral) Mayes of Savannah, GA, and Candy (Mike) Wimer of Ashville, NC; seven grandchildren: Lee (Natalie) Clements, Taylor Clements, Parker (Daniela) Clements, Aaron Clements, Katy (Kenny) Ordway, Carolyne Clements, and Renner Clements; three great-grandchildren: Abigail, Isaac, and Peter; brother: David (Melba) Clements of Athens, GA; and sister: Mary Leila Smith of Cochran, GA. He was preceded in death by his two wives: Lois Renner Clements and Wynona Carlson Clements; and his parents: John Bain and Mary Green Clements.
 

The Clements family will be receiving friends at Towns Funeral Home Monday, September 19, 2022, from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. Funeral services will be 11 A.M., Tuesday at Springhill Christian Church with interment following in the Springhill Church Cemetery.

Towns Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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