Wednesday, May 26, 2010 5:10 am

Winfred L. "Mac" McFerrin of Ringgold, GA, formerly of Nashville, TN passed into peace on May 24, 2010 after a short illness.

He is survived by his wife, Doris West McFerrin; daughter, Patsy McFerrin Riley of Mayfield, KY; son, Steve McFerrin of Nashville; stepdaughter, Cathy Bennett Lines and stepson, Michael Bennett, both of Ringgold, GA; grandchildren, April Tate, Jacob Riley, Jordan Riley, Chris Bennett, Philip Bennett, Justin McFerrin, and Katelyn Lines; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Jo Jones of Woodbury and Jean Stevens of Conyers, GA, and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by a son, James Benton McFerrin; parents, Thomas Benton McFerrin and Nola Fuller McFerrin; sisters, Annie Lou "Ted" Thomas, Pearl Hartley, Mary Goolsby, Evelyn Kibrell and Lillian Mae McFerrin; brothers, Tom McFerrin, Litton McFerrin and Marshall McFerrin.

Born March 21, 1927, Mac served as a maritime seaman and then served in the U.S. Army in WWII.

After graduation from MTSU, he pursued a career with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, influencing thousands of lives throughout his 35 year career.

Mac was beloved by many and known for his gardening, woodworking, storytelling, and musical talents.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010 at Hermitage Funeral Home followed by burial at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, May 26, from 4 to 8 a.m. at Hermitage Funeral Home, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138, (615) 889-0361.

To honor Mac's many years of service to the homeless, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Room in the Inn program, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory, TN.