Joe McClure

McCLURE, Deacon Joe Harold, Sr. - Age 74, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2008 at his residence. Family hour 11AM Saturday, December 13, 2008 at Joy Missionary Baptist Church, 670 E. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 12Noon, Pastor James Searcy officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Saturday. Deacon McClure will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2PM-8PM Friday. Deacon Joe Harold McClure, Sr., was born December 16, 1933 in Curtis, Arkansas, the son of Robert and Clara (Macon) McClure. Deacon McClure was a longtime resident of Flint, Michigan and a faithful and dedicated member of Joy Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership and guidance of Pastor James E. Searcy. He graduated in 1951 from Peake High School in Arkadelphia, AR. Deacon McClure was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army in 1957 and worked 42 years for General Motors V-8 Engine Plant Local #659, retiring in 1994. His hobbies were fishing barbequing, gardening, and spending time with his family. He was presented his official membership status into the Eureka Lodge No. 16 of Prince Hall Masons in April of 1974. Deacon McClure was loved and admired by many. He was the senior member of his siblings and a great storyteller at family gatherings. Deacon McClure always had a captive audience filled with laughter and joyous memories. He leaves to cherish his memory: beloved wife of 50 years, Ophia (Wills) McClure; 2 daughters, Toyia Wills-Collins and Sabrina (Troy McIntyre) McClure; son, Joe Harold McClure, Jr.; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Rosie (Booker) Norman of Little Rock, AR, Mattie (Paul) Bailey of Curtis, AR and June (Clarence) Lee of Savannah, GA; 4 brothers, James (JoAnn) McClure of Hot Springs, AR, Ferman (Ellie) McClure, Charles (Mary) McClure, all of Curtis, AR and Willie McClure of Flint, MI; numerous nieces and nephews; aunt, Mattie Lee McClure of Lansing, MI; 2 sisters-in-law, Zora Clarke of Flint, MI and Ruth McLeod of O’Fallon, MO; 2 brothers-in-law, Calvin Compton of Atlanta, GA and Landon Martin of Flint, MI; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Cornelius “Pee Wee” Williams, Fred Ross, Sr., Ricky Buggs, Sr., Kent Cuba and Pastor James E. Searcy. Deacon McClure was preceded in death by his parents; sister; brother; 3 sisters-in-law; and 3 brothers-in-law. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Perez, Pastor James E. Searcy and the Joy Missionary Baptist Church family.

Joe McClure

December 16, 1933 - December 4, 2008