Shirley McClelland

Shirley Stratton Young Culley McClelland passed away peacefully on October 29, 2024. Shirley was born in Jackson, Mississippi on March 18, 1931, to the late Earl H. Stratton and Grace Atkins Stratton of Tennessee. She graduated from Pickens High School and attended Holmes Junior College in Mississippi. After the tragic illness in 1961, of her husband Charles A. Young, Shirley assumed management of the family owned business, Flora Compress & Warehouse Company of Flora, Mississippi. She served as its manager and CEO until it closed in 1989. Shirley, with the help of her sister, Juanita Glaze, and family, guided the business in successful growth and expansion. Her efforts caught the attention of the Small Business Administration who honored Shirley by naming her Mississippi’s “Small Business Man of The Year,” making her the first woman in the state to be selected for this honor. She finished in the top 10 for the national award. The following year the award was changed to, “Small Business Person of the Year.” Shirley continued to serve on advisory boards of the Small Business Administration for many years. While managing the business in the cotton industry, Shirley served on boards and committee’s of the Mississippi Cotton Compress and Cotton Warehouse Association, serving as president; the Mississippi Valley Cotton Compress and Warehouse Association, serving as president; and the Cotton Warehouse Association of America, where she served a term as vice-president. She also served many years as warehouse delegate to the National Cotton Council of America. She served her community in many capacities by working on the financial boards of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Academy and Madison County Libraries. She also served on the Madison County Chamber of Commerce for several years. Shirley was very active in her early church life serving as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent during the years when her children were young at Flora Methodist Church. She served her church as choir director for many years and performed vocal solos during special religious services. In 1992 Shirley moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. While living there she met and married Walt McClelland. She was a member of Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church, serving on their financial committee. Several years after Walt’s death she moved to Olive Branch, Mississippi to be closer to daughters. Shirley was preceded in death by her husbands, Charles Young, Don Culley, and Walt McClelland; and her sister, Juanita Glaze. Survivors include her daughters, Janet Davis and her husband, Jerry, of Olive Branch, MS; Deborah Young of Brandon, MS, and Christie Young of Olive Branch, MS; grandchildren, Melissa Thompson and her husband Jimmy, of Southaven, MS, and Faith Bieliauskas of Brandon, MS, and six great- grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held at Grace Memorial Gardens, Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Donations may be made to Christ of the Hills UMC or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Shirley McClelland

March 18, 1931 - October 29, 2024