Anita McClellan - 2000

Anita White McClellan, known affectionately as "Neenie" to her family and friends, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, after a 12-year long courageous battle with emphysema.  Funeral services were 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2005 at Johnson¹s Funeral Home Chapel in San Angelo with burial following at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

Anita was born in Oklahoma November 9, 1930.  Her family moved to Texas when she was a toddler.  Though her father's job as an electrician involved travel during World War II, most of her growing-up years were spent in Coleman, Texas.  She and James R. McClellan were married February 7, 1953 and moved shortly thereafter to San Angelo.  Together they started San Angelo Security Service, a business that continues today as a thriving family-owned enterprise.  Neenie, though ill and dependent on oxygen for quite awhile, was always upbeat and optimistic.  Her strong will and determination to survive were an inspiration to others challenged with lung disease and their caregivers.  On particularly difficult days one of her favorite sayings was, "This too shall pass."

Surviving Anita are her children, their spouses and children: Lyleann McClellan Thee and Wes of San Angelo, granddaughter and grandson-in-law Amber Elkins and Clay of Odessa; Jamie Woods and Ricci, grandsons Jerrad and Tyler, all of Carrollton, Texas; and James R. McClellan II and Melissa, grandson Logan, all of San Angelo.  Also surviving Anita are the children of her beloved sister Elva Lee: Larry Byrd, Kerry Byrd, Teri Johnson, Tim Byrd, Toni Byrd and Bill Lee Attaway; brothers-in-law Dub McClellan and Bob Freeman; and life-long friend Margaret Humphrey.

Preceding Anita were her husband James "Bob" of 34 years in 1987, younger sister Bobby Lyle, parents Vera and Lyle White, and older sister Elva Lee Attaway.  The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Theresa and Sherry at the Shannon Pulmonary Rehab and to the staff at Regency House for their care and support during Mom's illness.  We also thank Dr. Tye Hughston for his medical expertise.  Rest now, Neenie, in your Savior¹s arms.  We will miss you, but we know we will see you again.  We thank God for the privilege of having had this wonderful woman be an integral part of our lives.