Dr. Steve B. McLendon

Dr. Steve B. McLendon, born February 2, 1947, to William McLendon and Effie (Sturdivant) McLendon passed away peacefully at the age of 75, January 12, 2023. Steve was the tenth of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. McLendon. Steve had 7 brothers - Charles McLendon (deceased), James (Big Daddy) McLendon (deceased), John T. McLendon (deceased), Lamar McLendon (deceased), Billy McLendon (deceased), Gilbert McLendon (deceased), and George McLendon (Janice). He had 2 sisters - Berdie Garrison-McLendon (deceased) and Rosemary Masslieno (deceased). Steve was the beloved husband of Laurie McLendon for 18 years and stepfather to Thomas and Amanda Brundidge.
Steve was from Badin, NC and graduated from West Badin High School in 1965. He continued his education at Winston-Salem State University where he was on the football team and earned a Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education and a minor in sociology in 1969. He also earned a Master's degree in Health Education from Montclair University in 1973. After that, Steve continued his graduate studies at Rutgers University with 27 graduate credits in Educational Administration. Finally, Steve earned the right to be called Dr. Steve B. McLendon when he earned his Doctorate of education in Health Education from New York University in 1997.
After college, Steve served the community as a physical education teacher in New Jersey. With all of his credentials and experience including professional certifications as school administrator, school business administrator, assistant executive superintendent with specialization in curriculum, and principal/supervisor, Steve quickly moved up and became an assistant principal - the position he would later retire from. During his professional tenure, Steve was a member of many professional organizations including:
• New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association
• New Jersey Education Association
• National Education Administrator Association
• National Education Association
• Society for Health and Physical Education Association
In 1972, Steve built a home in Milltown, New Jersey and lived there until 2004. He always joked that he was the first to integrate the city. He stayed in that home until his beloved sister Berdie passed away and he retired to the Orlando, Florida area where he built a home and met his wife, Laurie. Steve affectionately called Laurie "Bee" and she affectionately called him "Ray". They were married in 2005.
Everyone who knew Steve knew that he was an avid sports fan! While on vacation, he was known to have a basketball game on one TV and a football game on another. He planned his day around what time the games came on. He loved watching sports of all kinds. Steve enjoyed getting together with friends to play golf and even taught his wife how to play. Steve maintained a friendship like brotherhood of over 50 years with Willie Lynch and his long-time golf buddies.
At home Steve was constantly cracking jokes around the house even sometimes during serious situations.
He was very particular about the maintenance and upkeep of this home, his yard and his cars. He even vacuumed lines in the carpet weekly and mowed lines in the lawn. If he was too tired to complete any of his chores, he would eat a Snickers and drink a Mountain Dew to get enough energy to get the job done. He was proud to receive many compliments on the upkeep of his home and yard.
Steve retired early to the Orlando, Florida area and had been living life to the very fullest for many years. He and his wife Laurie, spent a lot of time traveling all over the country, enjoying life together.
Laurie was a devoted wife who happily took care of her husband until death did they part and did it with pure love.
Steve's memory will live on forever.
This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Dr. Steve B. McLendon. Leave a message on the Tribute Wall to share your favorite memories and offer words of sympathy and comfort.