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Anderson County, Texas

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This page is sponsored by the
East Texas Genealogical Society

MEMORIAL CEMETERY
ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS

 

Mary Amelia (Sissy) Anderson McClellan

Born:  22 June 1912 - Bastrop, Texas
Died:  11 June 2004
Father:  Charlie A. Anderson
Mother:  Lucinda Anderson
Spouse:  Francis O McClellan - 23 July 1948

 

Mary Amelia McClellan, affectionately known as 'Sissy' or 'Aunt Sissy', was born in Bastrop, Texas on June 22, 1912, to the late Lucinda and Charlie A. Anderson.  She was the second child born of this union and spent many delightful days playing on the banks of the Colorado River  Mr. Anderson became a Railway Postal Clerk and relocated the family to Longview, Texas.  After a short stay in Longview he transferred to Palestine and the family settled on West North Street.
They immediately united with Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church and Mary was nurtured in strong Christian principles and values.  In her adult life, she was very active in the Junior Stewardess Board and the Board of Education.  She served as Vacation Bible School Director and teacher for several years.  She also was very generous in providing the supplies and materials used in the Bible School.  Mrs. McClellan either led the effort or was a very active participant in obtaining the pews for the sanctuary, the Zodiac Rallies and the repair of Plexiglas covers for the church's stained glass windows.
After the death of her brother  Proncell, she donated hymnals to the church and was collecting funds for the new heating/air system when she became ill.  These are just a few of her pet projects.  She was an active member of the Stewardess Board until her health failed.  However, she continued her financial obligation to her church.
She was united in Holy Matrimony to Francis O. McClellan on July 23, 1948.  Her family became his family and he was a devoted husband until his death in December, 1976.  Their home was always available to the Sorority or the Tres' Joile' Teachers' club for affairs.  They were always very gracious hosts.
Mary attended Banks Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1930.  Following graduation she attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.  She graduated from Wiley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934.  She continued her education and earned a Masters of Education degree from Texas Southern University,  Further study was engaged at the University of Texas-Austin, Prairie View A.M. University and East Texas State University.
While at Wiley she pledged and was initiated into the Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and continued her membership at the nation level of the sorority for seventy years.  She attended several Boules, regional conferences and other sorority related activities.
Mrs. McClellan began her teaching career in 1934 at Massey Lake Elementary School where she was teacher and later teacher/principal.  In 1942 she began teaching in the Palestine Independent School District at Washington Elementary (Fort Street, Sterne Avenue and Hamlet Street locations).  Later she taught at Reagan Elementary School and retired from Southside Elementary School in 1977 with forty-three years of service.  She always affiliated with the local, state and national teachers organizations.  After retirement she became a member of the Anderson County Unit of the Texas Retired Teachers' Association and served as the Secretary for nine years.  She was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and held many offices in the organization,  For many years too, she was an active member of the Naomi Chapter of O.E.S. and Hearts of Love Court of Calanthe.
In addition to her religious, fraternal and educational participation, she became involved in community and civic affairs.  She was the first black leader to organize the black Girl Scout Unit in Palestine,  She was also a member of the Anderson County Civic League, the Sunshine Community Club and the Lincoln-Story Athletic and Performing Arts Association.
On Friday evening June 11, 2004, God called her home to eternal rest.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Francis O. McClellan, brothers Dr. Nolan H. Anderson and Proncell F. Anderson, and sisters Maurice R. Sweatt and Clara Ella White,.
Survivors who will cherish her memory are sisters, Charlie Maxine Littlefield of Los Angeles, CA, Daisy C. Moore of Baton Rouge, LA and Bernice N. Freeman of Inglewood, CA; immediate nieces and nephews, Carl Anderson, Libbie LaVerne Sweatt, Lou Holland Jones, Mary Lou Taylor Marilyn Diane Hairston, Nolan Hamilton Anderson, Jr., Ronald Charles Anderson, Bernice Yvonne Cokes, Patricia Wilson, Heman Marion Sweatt, Jacqueline Moore, Damita Jo Freeman, Gwen Moore, Vicki Eileen Blakely and Robert Charles White; cousins, devoted friends and acquaintances.

The pictures and images used on the Memorial Cemetery pages were
furnished by the Anderson County Historical Commission and the pages
were compiled by Beverly Bailey Odom and Scott Fitzgerald.

If you have any information to add or correct, please contact me.

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