Alice Wood McCluney

Passed 11/21/2023

Obituary For Alice Wood McCluney

Alice Juanita Wood McCluney, 105, of Shelby, North Carolina departed this life on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at her home.

She was born June 24, 1918, in Cherokee County, SC, to the late Elifus Wood and Bessie Goode Wood. She was one of ten children. She began her education at Concord School in Gaffney, SC, where in the first grade, she was so much more advanced that it was decided to move her up to the third grade, skipping the second grade. From Concord School, she went to Mike’s Creek and from there to Whitworth School.

In 1936, this family moved to Earl, NC, into a house near First Baptist Church. She completed her education at Ellis Chapel School. At this time the 10th grade was the highest grade you could complete. While in school she met a young man named John Lee McCluney, who would go to a store owned by Mr. Harry Partter and buy candy to pass out to the girls. At 16, he came to her house to court her, but Alice liked another boy at this time. Apparently, John won her heart. Alice and John were married for 66 years prior to his death.

She has lived through 20 Presidents, the years of the Great Depression, Recession, prejudices and many wars.

Her hobbies were sewing, planting flowers, gardening and reading. Until the age of 100, she taught Sunday School on a regular basis. When her children were young, the yard was like the community playground. She had a God – like Spirit that caused people to respect her. A lot of days she would gather children inside the house and have bible study with them. After their children were married, she kept grandchildren and continued this same tradition with them. Up until her death, she took every opportunity to share a word of wisdom, encouragement, and a word from the word of God with whomever would lend their ear.

One of her most profound quotes was: “You can call me what you want to, but when Jesus comes you can call me gone”.

In addition to her parents, Elifus and Bessie Wood and her husband, John Lee McCluney, Sr., she is preceded in death by her brothers, J.D. Wood and Jamie Wood; her sisters, Louvenia McGill, Ernestine Epps, Etta Mae Smith, Rosa Lee Smith, Bessie Ruth Hartgrove and Blondell Robinson; daughters in law, Dianne McCluney, Cynthia McCluney, Ruth McCluney; granddaughter, Kendra McCluney; and a grandson, Quintin Leslie.

She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter and loving son in law, Elder Maxine and Stephen Degree (of the home); sons, Dr. Holland McCluney, of Shelby, NC, Joe McCluney (Faith) of Asheville, NC, Bishop Thomas McCluney (Margaret), Vice-Bishop, John McCluney, Jr., Earnest McCluney (Tropzie), Paul McCluney (Marilyn), Donald McCluney, all of Shelby, NC; step daughter, Susanne Richardson (Reece) of Louisburg, NC; brother, Howard Wood (Joyce) of Asheville, NC; a very special niece and nephew in law, Gloria Dean McClain (David) of Kings Mountain. The children whom she really poured her soul and heart into were her 27 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 52 great-great grandchildren; and four great-great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, church members and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at Shoal Creek Baptist Church and the receiving of family and friends will be from 2 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Bishop Thomas McCluney will be officiating the services and Elder Maxine Degree will be delivering the eulogistic services. The burial will be held at First Baptist Church Earl, Earl, NC. The family is receiving friends at 417 Murdock Circle, Shelby, NC from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.