Obituaries

Genevieve Rose McClelland

Photo of Genevieve Rose McClelland Photo of Genevieve Rose McClelland
GENEVIEVE ROSE MCCLELLAND, 92, of Little Rock, passed away on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. She was born in Scotts Bluff, Neb., on May 19, 1918 to Charles and Louisa (Sershen) Craig, the youngest of seven children. Genevieve's mother passed away when she was six months old and her father passed when she was six years old. Her sister Luella raised her instilling in her the same family values as her parents. As a young adult, Genevieve served in the United States Marine Corp as a secretary stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, during WWII. In 1949, she married Leslie D. McClelland in Fargo, N.D. They were blessed with two daughters Donna Kay and Sandra Gail McClelland. Over the years, they lived in many cities throughout the United States, finally settling in Houston, Texas, in 1964. While there, she was busy as a wife, mother and a volunteer at the Texas Children's Hospital, where she was later appointed as Director of Volunteers. As director, she received numerous awards and citations including Boss of the Year for the City of Houston. She went to Ecuador to start a similar volunteer program at their main hospital at the time. She served as captain for the Pin Oaks Horse Show in River Oaks from 1972-1976 and even met with President and Mrs. Anwar Sadat of Egypt on setting up a volunteer program there. In 1990, she and Les moved to Little Rock, Ark., to be closer to her daughter Donna and granddaughter Sandy. Genevieve was an active member of the Asbury United Methodist Church and served as President of the Robert Moore Sunday School Class. She volunteered at Arkansas Children's Hospital, C.A.R.E., and the Pulaski County Humane Society, where she fostered many dogs before their adoption. She loved all of her dogs. Genevieve surrounded herself with a large group of friends, with whom she enjoyed meals, playing cards and visiting together. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leslie D. McClelland, her daughter Sandra Gail McClelland; her parents; five sisters and a brother. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Donna Kay McClelland; her granddaughter Sandra J. McClelland; her nieces Carolyn Hanson, Pat Dold and Nancy Jones and a host of extended family and friends, all who will miss her dearly. Memorials may be made to the Genevieve Rose McClelland Memorial Fund at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 72212, (501) 225-9231, or to the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church with Rev. David Moore officiating. www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

Published October 4, 2010

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