James Crayton “Mac” McClanahan, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, departed this life for his heavenly home on June 14th, 2015. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 from 1-3 pm with the funeral following at 3 pm, all at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia, AL. Officiating the service will be Dr. Jeff Noblit and the Rev. Dean Olive (Mac’s first cousin).
Mac was born in Florence, AL to James Crayton McClanahan, Sr. and Ida Belle Bailey McClanahan on February 11th, 1927. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carlton Ray “Coggie” Waldrep (Stepson), and James Brent “Jim” Staples (grandson). He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Earline Bowling McClanahan. Mac had four daughters, Carol McClanahan Bowling (Roger), Diane McClanahan Herston (Mike), Kathy McClanahan Staples (Jack), and Debbie McClanahan Rinks (Barry); Eight grandchildren, Rodney Bowling (Starla), Amanda Bowling Gallardo (Don), Kelley Staples Spencer, Brooke Herston Hamm (Michael), Lori Herston Pearcy, Tara Rinks Payton (Porter), Layne Rinks (Katie), and Matthew Staples; and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Tom, Othel, and Johnny McClanahan (Nancy), and two sisters, Martha Bowen and Orpah Cox.
After graduating from Central High School, Mac began working at Rogers Department Store and Sears, which launched his lifelong career in retail. He went on to manage stores in Knoxville, TN, Dayton and Cleveland, OH, and Charlotte, NC before returning to the Shoals and opening The Village Shoppe, Inc. His business grew and at the height of his career, he had seven stores across Alabama and South Carolina. Mac also served on the Board of Directors at Muscle Shoals National Bank for many years. He was a charter member of Grace Life Church, and was especially devoted to his Sunday school class at Grace Life.
Mac’s hobbies included landscaping his beautiful home, technology of any kind, gardening, keeping up with local and world affairs, and genealogy. His greatest joy was spending time with his family that he loved so dearly.
Pallbearers include Gene Aycock, Charles Anderson, Eddie Bowen, Charles Cox, Phillip Jhin, Tim Leigh, Robbie Martin, John McClanahan, George Taylor, and Jimmy Thornton. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Edsel Holden, Dr. Terry Hart, Gentiva Hospice, and the wonderful Glenda Thornton and Liz Tapp, for taking such great care of our daddy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Missions Fund of the Das Borden Sunday School Class at Grace Life Church.
