James Howard McGill

Rev. Dr. James Howard McGill, age 93, of Fort Mill, SC was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, October 24th, 2024 after a brief illness.

Born on March 26th, 1931 in Smyrna, SC, Jim was the son of the late Dwight Knox McGill and Elizabeth Irene Whitesides McGill. He grew up during the Great Depression diligently working alongside his father, mother, and brother on the family farm. Jim’s parents always set aside ten percent of crops as a tithe, a testament to their faith and trust in God as provider and sustainer of their family and the Smyrna community.

Jim graduated from Erskine College with a degree in Chemistry, intending to return to the farm in Smyrna. After college, he served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Jim met his wife, Lady Margaret, when visiting his brother at Erskine. They were married in 1957. Jim followed the Lord’s call to Union Theological Seminary and then in 1960 to Fort Mill, SC as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

He was pastor of Doby’s Bridge and Riverview Presbyterian congregations until his first retirement in 1996. During these years he preached two services each Sunday and officiated countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Jim continued to pastor churches in York and Gaston Counties for a total of 56 years. He shepherded congregations in the joys and challenges of daily life as well as in the construction of church buildings, sharing of pot-luck meals, and enjoyment of Bible study, Bible School, and Day Camp at Bethelwoods. Jim loved the congregations as much as they loved him and his family. The Lord worked through his dedication to them, leaving a legacy of faith spanning generations.

It was Jim’s greatest desire that all may know salvation through Jesus Christ and the hope and peace which can only come through our Lord and Savior. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13 ESV.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Lady Margaret Phillips McGill; son, John B. McGill (Angie); grandchildren, Caleb McGill (Martie) and Caroline Hider (Chris); great-granddaughter, Kate Hider; and sister-in-law, Ann McGill. He was preceded in death by his brother, Julian McGill.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 at Riverview Presbyterian Church, 124 S. Sutton Rd. Fort Mill, SC 29708.

Following the funeral service all are invited to join the family in the church fellowship hall for a scoop of ice cream, one of Jim’s favorite treats.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Smyrna ARP Cemetery Association, ℅ Chris Faulkner, PO BOX 65, Smyrna SC 29743.

Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC is serving the McGill family.

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