John McBride

John McBride transitioned on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at his home in Middletown, Delaware. John McBride official date of birth was November 22, 1923, in Bennettsville, South Carolina born to Barbara Ratcliff McBride and Alexander McBride. John came from a very large family and often proudly shared that his father provided everything they needed from their farm. John had a close and loving relationship with his siblings, Gency Convington (deceased) LC McBride (deceased), Nuanna Prince (deceased), James McBride (deceased?), Alene Young (deceased), Prentis McBride (deceased), Elizabeth McBride (deceased), Rose McCall (deceased), Willie McBride of Providence, Rhode Island, and Mary Francis Washington of Bronx, New York. John migrated to Harlem in the early 1940’s where he married Louise Williams on April 22, 1945 and their union produced four daughters Arlene Smalls (deceased), Ann Tyler of Middletown, Delaware, Delores McBride of Brooklyn, NY, and Patricia McBride of Charlotte, North Carolina. John is also the father of Christine Hepburn of Bennettsville, South Carolina, and Johnny and Francis McEachin of Lumber Bridge, North Carolina. John and Louise raised their nephews Prentis McCall of Harlem, New York, and Victor Williams of Troy, New York. John worked for Tastee Bread Company as a baker for 42 years in Queens, New York. He was a passionate wrestling fan who loved spending time on the park bench with his friends in Ebbetts Field, Brooklyn. In his retirement, John was a devoted grandfather to Ellis Smalls, Jr (Linda Smalls) of Middletown, Delaware, Pamela Smith (Darryl Smith) of Middletown, Delaware, Erik Smalls of Los Angeles, California, Ebony Tyler of Middletown, Delaware, Kiesean Riddick (Lori Riddick) of Brooklyn, New York and Sharif Santos of Charlotte, North Carolina. John was a devoted and loving caretaker for his wife Louise, tenderly looking after her until her passing in 2008. Later in life, John enjoyed watching Westerns that he affectionately called Cowboys! John took immense joy in being a great-grandfather to Erika, Dashawn, Camay, Sakiya, Amadi, Josiah, Luke, Miles, Nico, and Mateo and great-great-grandfather to Theisman (TJ). He enjoyed the visits and phone calls he received from his growing family, spending time and telling stories of his days in the South and in Brooklyn. John is also survived by his grandchildren Bernard, Gregory, Robert, and April, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. In John’s final days, he was provided with great care by Visiting Angels of Delaware, in lieu of flowers please make a donation in memory of John McBride to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or online by clicking here. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 pm until 3 pm on Friday, September 27, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 3 pm. A graveside service will begin at 11 am on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Rosehill Cemetery, 792 East Edgar Road, Linden, NJ. Any family members or friends who are unable to attend the service for John may live stream the service by clicking here.

John McBride

November 22, 1923 - September 19, 2024