Carolyn Louise McClellan

Carolyn Louise McClellan

May 22, 1943 – March 29, 2025

Surrounded by her loving family, Carolyn Louise Marlin McClellan of Gulfport, Mississippi went to be with our Lord on March 29, 2025. She will be dearly missed by every person she ever encountered!

On May 22, 1943, Carolyn was born in Salina, Kansas to William Marlin and Elsie Lucille Surrault Marlin. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School where she met the fella who would later become her “Bubby”, William “Mac” Richard McClellan, Jr. While he was home on furlough from the United States Navy, Mac and Carolyn were married on August 25, 1962; and from that moment forward, Carolyn was a dedicated Navy wife supporting Mac in his Naval career as a Seabee, which took them to California, Texas, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, back to Texas, and then to Mississippi – where they finally settled in Gulfport.

Theirs was a love story for the ages. There was no official courtship – they were simply best friends and pen pals with an engagement ring given on the first “real” date. It was a true soul connection of service to each other that lasted for over sixty-two years. And their pen pal skills came in handy. When Mac was on his six Navy deployments, often nine months at a time, they would actually write letters to each other every night!

Carolyn was a devoted wife and mother as she and Mac expanded their family at each of his first four duty stations with four daughters being born over a span of seven years. In addition to working a full-time job with the Harrison County School District, she was a Girl Scout leader, as well as a Band/Basketball Booster Mom, and always encouraged her girls in all their endeavors. In 2005, after 25+ years of service with the school district, she retired. For over forty years, she was involved at St. Joseph the Worker Parish at the Seabee Memorial Chapel in Gulfport, where she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Group, taught CCD classes, and served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist.

Carolyn enjoyed crafting and sewing; and she was very good at it. Over the years, she became known for the Easter outfits and prom dresses she would make for her daughters. Later, as grandchildren were born, she made their delicate Baptismal gowns. She also loved to paint and took classes learning about the different media and techniques.

Holidays and birthdays were special times in Carolyn’s home, but Christmas and New Year’s Eve ranked at the top. We know that many traditions will continue to live on through her daughters and grandchildren.

Over the years, Carolyn made many friends while in their numerous duty stations; and many of them would become “family”. She never met a stranger; and once you knew her, she would make you feel special every time she saw you. She truly was a genuine soul with a wit and kindness that reached far and wide. Her greatest legacy is in the way she lived out her Faith as a wonderful example in her everyday life.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia “Patty” Johnson. She is survived by her adoring husband Mac McClellan and their four daughters, Linda Hebert (Bryan), Rita Lay (James), Audra Adair (Stephen), and Tanya McClellan; her six grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Becca Hebert Nelson (Nathan), Kyle Lay, Emily Lay, Jessi Hebert, Thomas Adair, and Andrew Adair; her siblings, Virginia “Ginger” Cook and Paul Marlin (Abby). She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews, who will miss their Aunt Keggy, and all the friends to whom she has been “family”.

The McClellan Family wishes to thank the staff at Summerfield Assisted Living and the physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers at Memorial Hospital for the exceptional care they gave to Momma/Grandma.

Services to remember Carolyn will be held on Monday, April 7, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 9062 Kiln Delisle Rd, Kiln, MS. Visitation will begin at 10 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. This will be a celebration to remember a life well lived as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sibling, friend and, most importantly, faithful servant of God. Her favorite song, “What a Wonderful World,” speaks of the beautiful colors in our world. Her life was lived in full color; and so, we ask everyone to honor her and dress in vibrant shades of color. Yellow was her favorite.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Carolyn’s memory to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or to your local St. Vincent DePaul Conference.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 10 - 11 am at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 9062 Kiln DeLisle Rd, Pass Christian. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the church. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.