JoAnn McClendon was called to her heavenly home on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. She passed away surrounded by loved ones at her home in McComb, Mississippi. She was 83 years old. JoAnn was born on June 21st, 1939, in Meadville, MS. After her high school graduation, she moved to Baton Rouge, LA, where she started a lifelong career as a bookkeeper at L.B. Price. It was then that she met Arliss McClendon, who would become her husband and love of her life. JoAnn left L.B. Price and went to work for Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, who had just started his ministry. JoAnn worked alongside Rev. Swaggart in a two-room office and continued to work with him as his ministry grew for eighteen years. JoAnn then went to work as head bookkeeper at Parkview Baptist Church. She ended her career after working there for twenty years. As a devout Christian and lifelong member of Church of God, JoAnn's faith was admired by all who knew her. She dedicated herself to God each day by donning the full armor of God and immersing herself in His Word through daily Bible readings and fervent prayer. JoAnn was a kind and gentle soul with a generous spirit. She absolutely loved Christmas, her favorite holiday – watching everyone open their gifts was a thrill. Her family meant everything to her, and she loved them with all her heart. She loved her chocolate almost as much as Christmas! First and foremost, JoAnn loved her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren would always wait for her parting words when leaving – she would touch her shoulders and heart as she said, “angels on your shoulders and Jesus in your heart.” During the last fourteen months of her time here on earth, JoAnn became ill. Her husband of 64 years, Arliss, never left her side. He tirelessly attended to her every need. His love for her was unmeasurable. Arliss and JoAnn had a love for each other imaginable only in fairy tales. JoAnn is survived by: husband Arliss McClendon; children Cecil McClendon (Patti), Todd McClendon (Christina), and Wanda Allphin (Johnnie); grandchildren Amy Vest, Alissa Jenkins, Lacey Anderson, Mallory Burleigh, Stephanie McClendon, Abigail McClendon, and Trey McClendon; great grandchildren Gabrielle Martin, Macy Martin, Gray Butler, Haven Jenkins, Tate Jenkins, James Anderson, Charlie Jo Anderson (namesake), and Michael Toole; brother Reverend Herman Holland; sister Martha Boyd; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Maxine Holland, and her brother, Raymond Holland. Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst East – Baton Rouge on Monday, January 16th, from 9:30 am until the funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Pallbearers will be Cecil McClendon, Todd McClendon, Tanner Jenkins, Alex Anderson, Johnnie Allphin, and Raymond Holland Jr. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Stephen Lindsey in Baton Rouge and Dr. B. Todd Sitzeman in Hattiesburg, MS for their extraordinary care.
