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Dear Family,

We are deeply saddened by the loss of your beloved husband, father, and grandfather. His incredible life of service was an inspiration to so many, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. Your family means so much to us, and we are holding you close in our hearts during this difficult time.

May you find comfort in the love and legacy he leaves behind.

With our deepest sympathy and love,

Jeff and Shana Taylor

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You have our deepest sympathy. Weeping may endure for this season, but joy cometh in the morning.

Earline Greene and Nyoka Greene-Ellington

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May the Spirit of God hold you close during these difficult times. Know that your family remains in our prayers.

Marc & Melba Young

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Please accept our sincere condolences on behalf of the GAAA family! Thank you for a lifetime of service and for your commitment to GAAA!

We will continue to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers!! May heaven continue to bathe your hearts with the comforting Presence of the Holy Spirit!

Delmas Campbell

Principal, GAAA

Former Principal, Pine Forge Academy

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Ruth—- old age and bad weather do not go together. Crossing that mountain during a storm was not a good thought.

Please accept our apologies as we watch online.

Meredeth sends her love also.

The trips we shared and the outings and stories of our good times together will forever be etched in my memory!

Love you Ruth. I will check in with you this week.

Judith McCoy

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I looked at Pastor Vanard J. Mendinghall as that Cool and Smooth Preacher Man of God.

Bobby Andrews

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👋🏾 Family,

Sending my deepest condolences from the entire HICKS & SCHLUTER families!😭🙏🏾

May GOD give you the comfort needed during this most difficult time!

Luv Ya’ll!🥰😘

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I've loved this family for many, many years! I have playfully called myself the other Mendinghall daughter and I'm so sad my play "dad" is gone. I'm so blessed to have known him and to still maintain my connection to this beautiful family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Kem Roper

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Around ten to twelve years ago on a Sunday we had to take my husband Carlos to the hospital. Our present Pastor at the time was his brother Pastor Ezra Mendinghall. We were in the hospital no more than thirty minutes when Pastor Ezra Mendinghall walked in giving comfort to me and our children and making sure that Carlos was alright. Only a few moments later a call came in from your husband President Mendinghall wanting to speak to Carlos. He spoke encouraging words and prayed with my husband for his speedy recovery. My husband Carlos and I were so surprised and thankful that he would take the time out of his busy schedule to make a phone call, and on a Sunday, when it was one of the few hours that he had to spend at home with his family without interruption from work. That fact that he did this showed Carlos and I what a true Christian man he is. That huge act to us, even though it might have been small in the eyes of others is something we have never forgotten. So please know that we have in the past and will continue to keep you, your girls, and all the rest of the family in prayer. We look forward to that great day when we shall all be reunited on that sea of glass, at the welcome table, and among that number that no one can number!

God’s Blessings and our love,

Carlos and Maxine Edwards

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Dear Sis. Mendinghall and Family,

I am so very sorry for your loss of Elder Mendinghall. I know that if I am hurting this much, your pain and grief are tenfold. He has been part of my world since I was a little girl visiting my Grandma, Joyce Scurry, at the Conference office. I remember once- though I'm sure it was probably more than once- going to him for candy, and even though he was in a meeting he still let me come in. He was such a large part of my life. Even when I wasn't in Georgia or near Berean, he was on my mind and I always thought of him fondly. I still do, even as I write this. Whenever I came back to visit, Elder Mendinghall always greeted me with genuine happiness, even as his illness progressed. And that sentiment was always returned enthusiastically by me. I will miss him so very, very much.

I am sending you all my love.

Anjila Stewart

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Dear Mendinghall,

It is with heartfelt sympathy that I extend my condolences. Elder Mendinghall was an amazing man! He exemplified the attitude and character of Jesus Christ in everything. As a child and youth in the South Atlantic Conference, him and his wife Sister Mendinghall (my elementary teacher and mentor) showered love on me. They supported me at every stage of my life. I am forever grateful to have known Elder Mendinghall, Mrs. Mendinghall, and the Mendinghall family. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Love,

Marcya Burden

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Elder Mendinghall was always so kind and compassionate. In your husband, father, and a friend to so many, I witnessed an AMAZING family man, incredible visionary, and a man of immense integrity. He will always be remembered for his charisma and awe-inspiring personality. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Each of you are in my prayers.🙏🏽💞🙏🏽

Longing for the day when - “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

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I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my elementary school Principle Mr. Mendinghall, he will always be apart of the Peake family and truly missed as a Friend to the family and farmost a wonderful man of God that cared for his Family as well as others...I'm sorry I couldn't be there but watched with many other online...Praying for you Ruth and the girls May God continue to watch over you all during this time and going forward 🙏🏾 ❤️

Lynn Peake-Gilliard

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Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family

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I am deeply saddened to hear of Pastor Mendinghall’s passing. He was truly a wonderful man—full of kindness, compassion, and a heart for serving others. I will always remember the time he visited my grandmother when she was on her deathbed. Though she wasn’t Adventist, he still took the time to pray for her because of my mother, Deborah Clark. That act of love and selflessness meant so much to my family, and it is just one example of the many lives he touched with his ministry.

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the legacy of faith and love he leaves behind.

With deepest sympathy,

Alicia Shelly, MD FACP DABOM

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Elder, your character portray the image of the one who called you to take the torch of His character to a world that needs it. While you rest, your legacy lives on, until then may we all read your biography that will help

Is to live a life that God wants us to live. My condolences to you all.

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2016 BAYDA Youth Congress, Virginia Beach, VA

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Our prayers of condolences and deepest sympathies to the family of Elder Mendinghall . He was the Youth Director at RiverOaks Campground in Orangeburg, SC when I worked Jr Camp. He was stern but always approachable. He had a heart for the young people and the impact of his legacy will be felt for years to come! One day soon….The BLESSED Resurrection! May The Lord grant each of you peace as you cherish the wonderful memories of your loved one!

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My sincerest condolences to you Ruth and your entire family. I remember both you and Elder Mendinghall years back after moving to New York. Both you and Elder Meninghall were always picture perfect people. Elder Mendinghall served the Lord with honor and grace and I'm sure that on Resurrection Day you and your family will see him again. Joan Parham

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The service for your husband/dad/brother/Papa was beautiful. It was a beautiful service to celebrate a life well lived. We use to chat about the baked “ham” we would make during the holidays….. 😉

I pray that the memories you have will help you along this journey. Know that the Great Comforter is always with you. He will carry you through….

Love you BIG! 🩷🩷

Krystal Smallwood Sharperson

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I'm sure that there are hundreds of people that can say this, but I personally picked Pastor Mendinghall to be one of the speakers for my eight grade graduation at Ephesus Jr. Academy in Wilmington, NC. He was one of the greatest preachers of all times! I want to thank the family for playing those clips of him preaching to remind us of this. He sounded just as good as Dr. King. His voice was distinctive, ringing the gospel in your ears. My prayers of peace be with you.

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God blesses a few chosen ones with the power to give us a moment of being truly seen, the ability to bless us to feel as family when we are not biologically related , and to bless others with moments of time that leave us feeling worthy of Gods love. Thank you for being present in my life when I was a child and for loving my child. Our lives are better because you are in it. Love Delcina & King Solomon

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To the Mendinghall Family,

Our family’s collective heart breaks with and for you as we lose one of the most remarkable men I’ve ever had the honor to know. He and your family had such an outsized presence in my family’s young life, and I want you to know how blessed we were for that. I was beyond inspired during the service today, and received so many nuggets of blessings and wisdom to take to tomorrow. Thank you. God bless and I’m looking forward to seeing Elder Mendinghall by those pearly gates very soon.

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May the Lord be with you. Elder Mendinghall was a true General for the Lord. He has left an amazing legacy for not only the family but for our faith. He was a beautiful soul and may all see him again when the trumpet sounds!!!!

With mucho love,

Martha McZeno Dodd

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Although Mrs. Mendinghall was not my teacher at Berean Junior Academy (now BCJA), she left such an impact on me with her poise and grace. Even after I graduated from middle school, high school, and college, her words of wisdom were always profound and left an indelible impression on me. She eventually adopted me as one of her students. I can remember the Mendinghalls since I attended Berean SDA at the age of 10. I’ll never forget Elder Mendinghall greeting me with, “Hello young lady”, in his deep voice. The two were designed for one another and I pray that God will keep our dear Mrs. Mendinghall. May he give you strength and peace. We are praying with you and for you. Let us keep holding on to God’s unchanging hands. It won’t be long. Jesus is coming to take his children home, let’s be ready to meet him in peace and live with him throughout all eternity.

Charine Taylor (née Bradshaw)

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Elder Mendinghall allowed the Lord to use him to accomplish so much for SAC. Wherever he ministered, he left his mark! In Savannah we still talk of how he built up West Broad and left us in spiritual and financial stability. I have pleasant memories of baby sitting Kim & April when you all went out of town. They were our girls! When we found out Elder Mendinghall was returning to be our Interim Pastor, we were so glad. Even though he was dealing with illness, as Interim Pastor, he still was an outstanding Sheppard. The family will be in my prayers as you face life without his presence. The memories you hold will bring many thoughts of joy during your sorrow. God bless and keep the entire family is my sincere prayer.