Norma Jean Lanier McClendon, 74, of Raeford, passed peacefully at her home on Monday, May 24th, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Savannah, GA, May 22, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Nathaniel J. and Naomi Plummer Lanier. As a young lady, Jean moved to Fayetteville and she soon found a home at Grace Baptist Church and also found her future husband there. On August 6, 1966, she married William “Bill” McClendon, Jr. The two moved to Charlotte and soon started a family. Jean had worked as a certified medical assistant and a phlebotomist for many years. The family would move to Aberdeen in 1978 before settling in Raeford where they became members of the First Baptist Church of Raeford. She continued her medical career by working at the Sandhills Pediatrics for 17 years because of her love of the children.
Jean was a virtuous woman who accepted her Lord and Savior. She was kind and loving to everyone she met. Jean enjoyed spending time in her garden and tending to her flowers. She loved her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Jean is predeceased by her brothers Jackie Lanier and David Lanier. Jean is survived by her husband Bill E. McClendon, Jr. She was the mother of Melanie Cifers, husband Daryl, William “Billy” McClendon, III, wife Amy, Charles Daniel McClendon, wife Heather, and Natalie McClendon, husband Rodney. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Cayleigh, Cassie, Charlie, Madison, Sydney, Harley and Kylie. She was the sister of Gloria Gibson of Clyde, NC. Jean is survived by her step-mother Geraldine Criswell Lanier and her family; aunt Edna Yeakle and a large extended family from Savannah, GA and Clyde, NC.
A celebration of her life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Raeford, 333 N. Main St. Raeford, NC on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
