DeKalb/Rockdale County community mourns passing of Mike McClinton, owner of Robert’s Soul Food Restaurant

Update: Funeral set for Michael E. McClinton

The visitation/wake for Michael E. McClinton will be held on Friday, Dec. 16, 6 to 7 p.m., at Divine Mortuary Services Funeral Home, 5620Hillandale Drive, Lithonia.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m., at Crawfordville Baptist Church, 2300 Lake Rockaway Rd., Conyers.

The DeKalb/Rockdale County community is mourning the loss of Michael Eugene McClinton, longtime owner of Robert’s Restaurant, known for its golden fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and other soul food favorites.

Mr. McClinton passed away on Monday, Dec. 5, after a year-long battle with a rare cancer. He died at home in Conyers, GA where his wife, Marilyn, step-daughter, Nikita Williamson, and granddaughter, Kennedi, had kept watch over him. He was 66.

“Kennedy said she misses him and asked if he was in heaven playing with the angel children and I told her that’s where he is now,” said Ms. Williamson, the child’s mother. “We had a year to love on him and we are so grateful for that.”

“A lot of customers have come by to offer their condolences. We appreciate their concern, compassion and prayers.”

Mr. McClinton, who was called “Mike” by those who knew him, had operated Robert’s Restaurant for 23 years with his wife, and step-daughter. He named the restaurant, which is located at 2810 Evans Mill Road, Stonecrest for his grandfather, father, and brother, who all were named Robert. The restaurant’s new ownership under Tony Royal was announced this week. Royal was a long-time friend of Mr. McClinton.

“Mike had a heart of gold. He was always helping people, feeding seniors and others who were ill or needed a helping hand,” said Glenn L. Morgan, publisher of On Common Ground News. “Mike was the guy who heard somebody was in need and he would feed them. He loved God and serving at his church. We shared a lot in common—serving as church deacons, growing up in a small town and having granddaughters the same age that we would say had us wrapped around their fingers.”

Mr. McClinton was a deacon and Sunday School superintendent at Crawfordville Baptist Church in Conyers. He was born and raised in Greenwood, South Carolina and was the second-oldest of four children.

The funeral is set for Dec. 17, 2 p.m. The family is still working on funeral arrangements and will provide details when completed.