HEADLAND. . .It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear loved one, Mrs. Jewel Elaine McClenney (Lanie), age 94, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the home of her eldest granddaughter in Dothan, AL, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 21, 1931, in Texasville, Alabama, to Dowling and Shelley Mae Warr Woodham. She was a 1949 graduate of Baker Hill High School and went on to Troy State Teachers College, where she graduated with a BS Degree in Education and later received a Masters Degree in Education. Later, she was married to her sweetheart of almost 68 years, Mr. Tince McClenney (Papo) where they raised two children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Lanie dedicated her life in service to our Lord Jesus and to children, both through the school system, where she taught for many years and the First Baptist Church of Headland Children’s Ministry. She and Papo sent countless numbers of cards, words of encouragement to many, including a prison ministry and engraved New Testament Bibles to newborns of families in the area. Lanie loved her family, both her immediate and extended on both the Woodham and McClenney sides and had a deep understanding of how to be a good friend to young and old. She loved flowers, playing the piano, cooking and making all feel welcome at her table. Lanie was a once in a lifetime special person who took time to love all those around her with open arms. She is welcomed into heaven by Papo and her sweet daughter, Melanie.
Surviving relatives include her son, Joseph Ray McClenney, III and his wife, Susan, her five grandchildren & spouses, Mandi & Josh Sowell, Seth & Aubrie McClenney, Claire & Billy Smith, Cole & Ashleigh McClenney and Meg & Kelly South, her great-grandchildren, Anna Claire Sowell, Aiden Sowell, Clarke Ferguson, Lucie Ferguson, Decker Smith, John Bennett Smith & Miller McClenney. She is also survived by her two sisters, Mary Payne and Rena Henson, her sisters-in-law, Peggy Woodham and Mary Ethel Woodham, and her brother-in-law, Frank McClenney and his wife, Jan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in the Worship Center of the First Baptist Church of Headland with Dr. Cecil M. Sanders, Jr., Reverend Norman C. Simmons and a nephew Barry Woodham officiating. Burial will follow in the Newville Baptist Church Cemetery. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church. At other times, the family will be at the home of Josh and Mandi Sowell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Headland “Bridge To Tomorrow” Building Fund, 301 East Church Street, Headland, AL 36345 or to the Newville Baptist Church “Cemetery Fund”, P.O. Box 13, Newville, AL 36353.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Joseph Ray “Seth” McClenney, IV, John Colter “Cole” McClenney, Joshua William Sowell, Billy Decker Smith, Jon Kelly South, Jr., Aiden Joshua Sowell, and Clarke Lowell Ferguson.
The family wants to thank the many wonderful people that have loved, cared for and checked on Lanie. To all of her many sitters, we say a sincere thank you. To her primary sitters, NaKeshia Brown and Quilla McCain, you are loved by all of us and are a part of our family-we are eternally grateful for the care that you provided for her and the love & compassion that you showed. The family would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice and especially Stephanie Clark for the compassion and loving kindness shown to Mrs. McClenney during her illness.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
