Charlotte Ann Gorman McClelland, age 86, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Rogers, AR. She fought very courageously to live her best life despite facing health challenges in her later years. Charlotte spent her last days focusing on the upcoming arrival to her eternal home, and most importantly looking forward to seeing Jesus’s face in heaven and his welcoming arms.
She was born on June 17, 1937, to the late Vosser and Birdie Gorman in Moro Bay, AR. Preceding her in death were sisters Louise Derryberry, Willie Belle Koehler, and Lera Wood; brothers L.E. and C.E. Gorman. Charlotte was a graduate of Hermitage High School and enjoyed attending all the class reunions to see her many friends. She operated the Sears Catalog store originally located on S. Myrtle Street for nearly 30 years. During her retirement years, she served as the finance secretary for Calvary Baptist Church in Warren and volunteered for the Bradley County Memorial Hospital Auxilary along with other local organizations.
Charlotte had a great love for gardening whether it was flowers or vegetables. She always looked forward to buying and planting new ones. She also enjoyed feeding the birds, (especially hummingbirds), watching all animals in their habitat, and embracing the beautiful nature God made.
Any cat in need of a home was welcomed by Charlotte, no matter where she lived. She cared for over a dozen cats during her lifetime, giving each of them a name and all the care they needed.
Her favorite pastimes were attending live southern gospel music events and playing cards with friends, revealing her very competitive side, which was well known among many.
Scratch cooking was one of Charlotte’s greatest talents. Her specialties included cornbread dressing (absolutely wonderful), fried chicken, chicken n’ dumplings, country-style cast iron skillet fried potatoes, and homemade pies and cobblers which were enjoyed by friends, family, and church members. Additionally, she could take a can of any food and ‘doctor it up’ so well you would think it was fresh from the garden.
Surviving family members include two sons, Benny Johnson of Warren, AR, and Monty Johnson of Benton, AR; daughter, Delores Johnson of Rogers, AR. Two granddaughters, Randi Jafar (Abe) of Marion, AR, and Sarah Rabaya (Anthony) of Southaven, MS; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services were held at 2pm on Tuesday, April 23 at Frazer’s Funeral Home with Reverend Randal Murphy officiating. The burial was in Marsden Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Greg McKinney, Ryan McKinney, Eric Parnell, Connor Parnell, and Chad Greenwood.
Honorary pallbearers are Clifton Pool, Philip Derryberry, Jerry Halbrook, and Dr. Caleb Gaston.
In lieu of flowers, financial contributions in memory of Charlotte McClelland can be made to Marsden Cemetery, c/o Sheila McVay, 1634 Bradley Road, 2E, Hermitage, AR 71647, or First Baptist Church Rogers, 3364 W. Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, AR 72758.
