Deacon William E. McCormick Sr.

Deacon William Evander "Mac" McCormick, Sr., the son of Reverend Sampson Evander McCormick and Mary Lee (Floyd) McCormick, was born on Thursday, December 22, 1949 in Lumberton, North Carolina. William received his formal education through the Miami-Dade County Public School system. He commenced his pursuit of education at A.L. Lewis Elementary, then West Homestead Junior High, and graduated from Mays Senior High School, class of 1968. William earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Florida International University and pursued his Masters degree at Liberty University. During his collegiate football years, he received a special invitation to attend the Dallas Cowboys' football camp, but was unable to participate due to a major knee injury sustained while playing sandlot ball.

In 1972, he became acquainted with "his wife to be," Martha Howze. Continuing to follow the biblical and moral teachings of his parents, they were united in marriage on May 30, 1980. Together, the McCormicks' became proud parents of five children and seven grandchildren. William was passionate about working and attained numerous positions throughout his career that maximized his educational ambitions. He was employed as an educator in Monroe County at Coral Shores High School in Tavernier; Miami-Dade County at South Wood Middle School  and South Dade Skill Center. He launched a career in engineering at Sykes Engineering Company in Miami; and served as City Architect, City of Homestead.  In 2002, he accepted a GIS Specialist position with the Putnam County Property Appraiser's office, and relocated his family to Palatka, FL from South Florida, retiring in 2015. Over the course of his professional career, he simultaneously exemplified his passions as a talented entrepreneur owning and operating "McCormick's Drafting Services," "Ultra Investment Properties," and "Interiors by Martha."

During his early years, Deacon McCormick received and accepted the basic fundamentals of serving the Lord under the spiritual guidance of his parents at Pentecostal House of Prayer.  In the early 1980's, he became a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Miami's Richmond Heights Community under the leadership of Bishop Carlos Malone, where he served faithfully on the Deacon's Ministry, Bus Ministry, and the Food Ministry. Upon relocating to Palatka in 2002, Deacon McCormick transferred his membership to Mount Tabor First Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Karl N. Flagg. Over seventeen successive years, he literally served everywhere he was needed or requested, or though he could assist in ministry. Deacon McCormick utilized his spiritual gifts to the fullest as a Deacon (past chairman), Trustee, Missionary, Church Photographer, Men's ministry, Choir ministry, Youth ministry, S.A.L.T. ministry (Sound & Light Team) and together with his wife Martha visited and tirelessly served the sick, homebound, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.  Deacon McCormick was a passionate community leader and a great supporter and committee member of the Relay 4 Life Cancer walk-a-thon and Sickle Cell Anemia foundation.

A gentle giant, he found great pleasure in pursuing his interests. His hobbies included, witnessing and mentoring, photography, traveling, art, graphic design, camping, golf, watching college football. He was an avid Washington Redskins football fan. He formerly served as President of the Homestead Sr. High Booster Club. "Mac" was a collector of numerous specialty items, however, his favorites were his Sports and Black Memorabilia collections.

In addition to his parents, William was preceded in eternal rest by two of his brothers, Lee Taylor, Minister Alfred McCormick.  Deacon McCormick peacefully transitioned from his earthly tabernacle to a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, at 1:26 a.m., on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at Putnam Community Medical Center, Palatka.

He leaves to cherish his memories: devoted wife of 39 years, Deaconess Martha McCormick, daughter, Jamila McCormick, Miami; daughter / granddaughter, Kimberly Clark, Palatka; sons, William (Dedra) McCormick Jr., Palatka; Charles Clark, Gregory Clark, both of Charlotte, NC; son / grandson, Charles Clark, III, Palatka; seven grandchildren, sisters, Dorothy Pittman, Betty Wallace, Audrey (Co-Pastor Fred) Willis, Amy McCormick; brothers, Bradney (Debra) McCormick, Rev. Dr. Charles McCormick, Samuel (Assistant Pastor Vivian) McCormick; sister-in-law, Shirley Williams; brothers-in-law, Berry Howze, Michael McDowell, Richard McDowell, Leon Howze, Michael Caldwell, Darrell Caldwell, Warren Caldwell; "like mothers," Mother Lillian Kemp, Mother Mary McKinnon; "like sisters," the McKinnon sisters; "like daughters," Minister Stella Brown, Sister Melissa Clemons, Sister Lakeshia Rayburn; best friends, Minister Alex & Pastor Cassandra Sheppard, Reverend Alton "A.D." Bivins, Brother Arthur "Skip" Sprague; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and an abundance of sorrowing frie nds.