Joan Smith McLean was 87 years old, when she went home to be with her Lord. She lived at 173 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. until her health declined. She then moved to Orange, MA. to reside with her daughter and son in law. On June 3, 2024, she departed this life peacefully, surrounded by her daughters and son in law.
Mrs. McLean was born June 12, 1936 in Lavonia, GA. to Alberta (Carruth) Smith and Earnest Roosevelt Smith. Joan moved to Dayton, Ohio at age 8, attending the Wagaman School, where she excelled. At age 13, she moved to Boston, MA. to live with an older sister, and enrolled at Brighton High School, in Brighton, MA. Mrs. McLean first accepted Christ at the Methodist church. In 1949 she joined People Baptist Church of Boston, and was baptized by Rev. Dr. Richard M. Owens.
In 1954, she married Kenneth Nicholas McLean, and to this union 4 children were born: Donata
Joann, Sonda June, Renee Heidi, and Kenneth Nicholas McLean Jr. Her love for others and helping people, started her path to nursing. As a teenager, she worked as a “Candy Striper” (hospital volunteer), at Boston City Hospital. She would later go back to
work at Boston City Hospital after obtaining an Associates Degree in nursing from Roxbury
Community College. She would continue to work there even after she received her LPN degree
from Boston State College. For 3 years she trained in the Registered Nursing Program at Boston State College. Joan was constantly learning in the nursing field. Being aware of the latest advances in nursing made her a better provider and advocate for her patients. While attending Cambridge College she received a BA. in English, and later went on to receive two Master's Degrees, in Urban Ministry, and Divinity, from the Gordon Conwell Theological
Seminary. Because she felt it was essential for translating and understanding Biblical text, she
studied Hebrew to help in translating scripture.
Upon retiring from her position as a LPN at a Nursing Home in Roxbury, MA. Mrs. McLean obtained a business license, and opened her own nursing home; The McLean Adult Foster Care Nursing Home. There she was able to continue giving personalized care for older patients. Wherever she was, Mrs. McLean shared the word of God. Her positive attitude and love of God helped many patients through difficult times. In her later years her business was known as the “McLean Community Residential Care Program. CRC”. CRC was a highly sought after placement home for retired veterans. Her care, dedication, and commitment to her patients gained her many awards and citations from the Veterans Administration. She also taught a weekly Bible Study on a Recovery Unit at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital. Before her recent
illness she was conducting a Bible study for patients' recovering from substance abuse.. Mrs. McLean has served in numerous capacities for her Lord and Savior in different churches throughout Boston,. Her love for the Lord led her to be President of The Adella Klugh Missionary Society of Peoples Baptist Church for more than 40 years. She advised and led Christian
missionaries. Under her leadership she coordinated the USDA Food Distribution Program in 1986. The Food Pantry Ministry, she established in 1987 still fulfills the needs of the community. She also coordinated the annual Kingston House Sermon and dinner. Because of her love for the needs of the homeless and senior communities, she organized Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The program at times prepared over 1,000 dinners per holiday. She initiated plans for the first Church Library, to provide materials to study the word of God. She served as a member of the Senior Usher Board and later went on to serve as the Supervisor of the Junior Usher
Board. While attending Peoples Baptist Church, Mrs. McLean, also served as Sunday School teacher and Drama Coach. She created the “Rights of Passage” forum and celebration for young Christian Women, including the PBC young adult women. Mrs. McLean’s ministerial work also included being the vice chairperson for the American Baptist Women Southwest Association and Board Member for the Church Women United. Mrs. McLean had a very energetic personality, and she was a lifelong learner. She studied and read the Bible daily. She used Strong’s Concordance and many other study guides, in her pursuit to better understand the Bible. She believed that “All things work together for good to
those that love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. It is
to this philosophy that she lived her life. In her younger years she sewed and made some of her
own clothes. She taught her daughters how to sew. She believed that God has provided all things necessary to fulfill man’s life. This belief led her to continually read books on different natural remedies and holistic medicine. In her younger years, she sewed and made some of her own clothes. She also taught her daughters how to sew. She has written and published many Christian hymns. She was honored that a Christian musical piece of hers was performed at Boston University’s Marsh Chapel. She used her love of God and the Bible to govern the steps in her life. Mrs. McLean never met a person that she felt
the word of God could not help. She could be seen traveling all over Boston, in her blue Volvo station wagon, as she did her work for the Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents: Alberta C. and Earnest R. Smith, her siblings: Edna Napolez, Lena Vaughters, Dorsey Smith, Lillie Mae Broughton Goldie Ziegler, Grant Smith, and her children: Sonda June McLean Williams and Kenneth Nicholas McLean Jr.
Joan is survived by her daughters: Donata Joann McLean Martin, (husband) Byron Craig Martin, Renee Heidi McLean Atchison. (husband Jesse Atchison). Grandchildren: Rebecca Ann Martin Blodgett, (husband) Jon Blodgett, Nathaniel Vandoleur Nicholas Martin, Zachary Eric Martin; Lydia Roiya Williams Searcy, Eric LLoyd Williams, Henry Steven Williams, David Nicholas Atchison, Mark Jesse Atchison (wife) Paula Adamson Atchison, Joseph Wesley
Atchison (wife) Catherine Hutchins Atchison, and Brett Nicklas McLean and Bailey Lea McLean.
Visitation on Monday June 17th 11AM- 12PM in Peoples Baptist Church, 830 Tremont Street, Boston. Service will follow at 12 PM.
Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.
02130
Live Video of Service Click below.
