Elder Wilbert McClure
Elder Wilbert McClure, age 77, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022.
He was born on March 1, 1945 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the union of Clay McClure, Jr. and James Ina Richmond McClure. He departed this life peacefully on Friday, December 2, 2022 in a local hospital.
Elder McClure received his education in the public schools of Chattanooga completing at Howard High School in 1963. He did further studies at McKenzie Business College and Chattanooga State Technical and Vocational College. Wilbert was a graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science and Covington Theological Seminary. He retired from Erlanger Hospital after serving more than twenty (20) years.
After graduation from Mortuary School, Elder McClure was affiliated with numerous funeral homes to include Willis of Dalton, Franklin-Strickland, Advantage Franklin-Strickland Funeral Home, Memorial Mortuary, J. Avery Bryan, Taylor Funeral Home, Hardwick Funeral Home and many others in the surrounding area. He was affiliated with TN State FD*MA, East TNFD and Morticians Association. Besides being an excellent embalmer, Wilbert was a Certified Surgical Technologist, Master Mason (PHA), Pl Sigma ETA, National Mortuary Fraternity Conference of Funeral Service Examination Board of America.
While in the United States Army, he served during the Vietnam Conflict, serving in Germany and Korea. After serving in the army, he was a Welter Weight Champion Boxer.
“Mack” “Shorty” as he was affectionately called, acknowledged his need for a Savior. He accepted Christ as an early age and was of the Baptist faith. He attended New Horizon Missionary Baptist Church until prohibited by declining health. He was a dedicated follower of Christ.
Wilbert leaves to cherish his loving wife of 21 years, Tillecia M. McClure; one son, Wilbert Demetrius McClure; three daughters, Barbara Alfar, Chattanooga, Nechelle (Vanal) Ransom, Antioch, TN and Tamieka McClure, Chattanooga; one brother, Ralph (Teadra) Hughley; two sisters, Mary Alice Birmingham, New York, NY and Clara (Ronald) Edwards ,Chattanooga, TN; grandsons, Jackson Wallin, and William Ransom; granddaughters, Stacy Hughlett, Gabrielle Walker, Ashley Hunter, Osanna Ransom, and Shealynn McClure; one great grandson, three great granddaughters, Tyteanna White, Harper and Haidyn Wallin; one Godson, Tristian Winston; sisters-in-law, Attache Payne, (Levi Ballinger), Tinea Payne and Elerion Richmond; father-in-law, James (Mary) Moorer, Hinesville, GA; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and many, many friends.
Funeral Service will be Friday, December 9, 2022 at Ponders Funeral Home, 4203 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411 at 12:00 Noon with Rev. Dr. Willie Paul, Eulogist. His remains will lie in state at the Ponders Funeral Home on Friday morning from 9:00 A. M. – 12:00 Noon. Interment, Friday at 2:00 P. M. with full Military Rites at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Arrangements by Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia.