Mary Jane McClellan

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Mary Jane, a devoted and beloved wife, mother of 4, and Mimi to 26 grands and great grandchildren. Mary Jane, age 93, of Amarillo, TX passed peacefully on Feb 28, 2025, in Amarillo, TX. Mary was born January 17, 1932, in Barnsdall, OK to Harry and Lou Elma Wood and was the youngest of 5.

She graduated from Phillips High School in 1950. She married J.O. McClellan on Feb 16, 1952, and they celebrated 56 yrs of marriage until his passing in 2008. In 1968, she graduated from West Texas State University with a BS in Art/Music. She taught art, music, and English over a period of 8 yrs at Sanford- Fritch H.S. and Phillips H.S. During her tenure at Sanford Fritch, she started the first art and choral departments.

Mary Jane spent her younger years with loving parents and siblings who taught “Little Mary” the lessons of hard work during the post- depression yrs. She grew up in small farming/oil/gas communities in both Oklahoma and Phillips, TX. She was the first in her family to graduate from college and she passed on her strong desire for learning and achieving to her children and grandchildren.

Mary Jane was known for her artistic talent, beautiful soprano voice, culinary skills, and exceptional seamstress work. She also followed in the footsteps of her father as a skilled carpenter. She could create and build anything... including the house she and J.O. built to raise their family.

She instilled in her 4 children that “you can do anything… just do it right!” Her greatest joys in life were being with her large loving family, she and J.O.’s travels, and always having a project of creativity. Anyone who needed a drawing, sketch, costume, or construction details relied on her generous talent. Her watercolor landscapes and pastel portraits are cherished memories of her work she created in the art studio she and J.O. built.

After raising her family, she and J.O. embarked on a 4-yr work journey with Phillips 66 to West Africa. This adventure enabled her the opportunity to travel through Africa and Europe where she finally got to see the beauty of art and culture she had only taught and read. Even while living abroad, she conducted art classes for many women who became lifelong friends. Following retirement, she and J.O. had a blessed and rewarding retirement surrounded by 8 grandkids whose life was their number one focus and absolute joy.

 Mary Jane is survived by children -Paula Johnson (Terry) of Lubbock, TX, Terrie Rogers (Tibby) of Amarillo, TX, Donna Walker (James) of Amarillo, TX. and daughter- in- law Tammye McClellan Bishop of OK City, OK.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by husband J.O., dear son Michael Jay, parents, and siblings Lloyd Harrah, Robert Wood, Pete Wood, and Virginia Wright.

Her grandkids and great grand kids will cherish their Mimi’s memory: Jared Walker and children Dax and Jude Walker of Lubbock, TX, Gainum Rogers (Ashley) and children Liam and Blakeleigh of Amarillo, TX, Jake Walker (Raelyn) and Luke of Oklahoma City, OK, Whitney Madison (Russell) and children Hunter Preston, Caleb and Avery Madison of Idalou, TX, Casye Garcia (Gabriel) and children Callye, Miclyn, and Eli of Borger, TX, Mary Taylor Ibarra (Jesus) and children Rory, Rhett, and Vivian of Amarillo, TX, Jessie Satterwhite (Drew) and children Kate and Wesley of Canyon, TX, and Alyssa Conklin (Bryan) and children Landon and Cooper of Boerne, TX.

 The family would like to especially thank Elizabeth and Violet for their excellent care and devotion to their mom. Her strong independence was so important to her and “the girls” worked tirelessly in taking care of her and meeting daily challenges. They were a blessing to both mom and our family.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The High Plains Children’s Home, Amarillo TX in Mary Jane’s honor.

Graveside services will be held at 3 pm on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Westlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger.