Patsy McClellan

Patsy Jean McClellan of Diamondhead, MS died October 25, 2022 at age 77.

She is preceded in death by parents, Walter Stewart McClellan and Daisy O'Date Perrin McClellan; older twin sisters, Joan Edith McClellan Hardy and Judith Patricia McClellan Haight; and husband of 37 years, Robert "Mac" McClellan.

She is survived by nephews, Ned Haight and Hunter Hardy; nieces, Ashley Hardy Prince and Ann Haight; and stepsons, Phil, Bill and Khan McClellan.

A native of Ponchatoula, LA, she graduated from Ponchatoula High then earned a BS in Medical Technology at Southeastern Louisiana College (now SLU), interning at Ochsner in New Orleans and earning her MT (ASCP) board certification.

Patsy became a flight attendant in the early 70's, satisfying her travel bug before establishing a 25-year career at University Hospital in Jackson MS, the majority of which was as assistant chief of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory.  She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church (UMC), and met her future husband, Mac McClellan through the Jackson UMC. Retirement brought her to Pass Christian, MS where she treasured close proximity to her sister Joan and brother-in-law Alan Hardy.  Hurricane Katrina devastated their coastal home, prompting a move to Tupelo for some years, before love of the coast pulled her back in a final move to Diamondhead, MS.

Patsy loved travel, as well as her dear little dogs who lived their senior years alongside her.  The UMC was her church home and family in Ponchatoula, Jackson, Tupelo and Bay St. Louis.  A microbiology career satisfied her science and education interests, but more importantly she lovingly grew a work family of very close friends. She cared deeply for family and was dedicated to her two sisters and their children, always there in times of challenge.  While she is reunited with her many departed family members, Patsy's joyful heart, knack for storytelling, and love of family and friends will be dearly missed.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Rd., Pass Christian served the family.