VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 10/5/07) - American Baptist Churches USA regrets to report on the death of Ann Fountain McBain on Friday, September 21, in Fresno, Calif. She was 90 years old. McBain was the widow of Dr. L. Doward McBain, retired president of the American Baptist Seminary of the West and an American Baptist minister.
McBain was born in Moorestown, N.J. and graduated from Eastern Baptist Seminary with a degree in Christian Education. She traveled to world mission outposts and wrote several books about her experiences. McBain was a poet and author of several books. Her children's story, Little Star, premiered as a book musical in New Orleans in November 2005.
She was a founding patron of the Quad City Playwrights Festival. Along with her husband, McBain was a powerful leader in congregations in New Jersey, New York, California and Arizona. She directed children's, women's and missions ministries and also served on the General Board of American Baptist Churches USA in the 1970s.
McBain was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her first granddaughter, Melissa Lynn Barrett, and her brothers, John, Clark and Tommy Fountain. She is survived by her five children, Marianne Barrett of Newport, Oregon, Loren McBain of Irvine, California, Robert McBain of Lewisville, Texas, Melissa McBain of Moline, Illinois and Joy Nolte of Clovis, California; one sister, Mrs. Peggy Taylor of Manchester Centre, Vermont; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church, 1400 E. Saginaw Way, Fresno, Calif., on Sunday, October 7, at 4:00 p.m. Memorial gifts received at Fresno First Baptist will be directed to battle hunger.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/