He was born on March 14, 1931, in the Craig Springs Community of Oktibbeha County,
Mississippi, the cherished son of the late Chapman A. Gillis and Dorothy Jones Gillis.
He was preceded in death by his sons Kevin and James Algen Gillis, and Tony McClelland.
Siblings Margaret Jeffers, Irene Chandler, Kathleen Holmes, Helen Dowling, Alton Gillis,
Jimmy Gillis, and Gerald Gillis.
Algen was a devoted husband to Christine McClelland Gillis, his beloved wife and love of
his life. He is survived by his brothers Rodger (Irma) of Sturgis, Marion of Mathiston, and his
sister Sally Gillis Mcrorie (Jim) of Charlotte, NC; children, Teri Hatcher Cunningham
(Danny) of Bovina, Vicki Gillis Hughes (Tracy) of Florence, Chasity Gillis of Tupelo, John
Alton Gillis of Cutler Bay, FL., Keith Gillis (Manda) of Milton, PA, Terry McClelland (Susie) of
Sturgis, along with daughter-in-law Sandrine Gillis.
Algen leaves behind a legacy of love through his numerous grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, and even a great-great-grandchild, each of whom he adored.
He attended Sturgis High School and was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.
Algen found fulfillment in his work, having been employed by the Illinois Central Railroad in
Vicksburg, MS, and running his own furniture manufacturing company in Starkville, MS.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS, with the service immediately following in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in McClelland Cemetery in Sturgis, MS.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Algen’s memory with a donation to an
Alzheimer’s/Dementia research or treatment charity of your choosing and means.
