Born Lena Elizabeth Armstrong on July 14, 1929 in Maury County, TN to the late Alice and Eural Armstrong, who passed away while Lena and her brothers and sisters were very young; she and her brothers and sisters were raised by loving relatives in the community.
She was educated at Clark Training School in Mt. Pleasant, TN and went on to hold numerous domestic and manufacturing jobs.
On February 4, 1947, Lena was joined in holy matrimony to Robert McClure, Jr. Their thirty-seven year marriage ended when he preceded her in death on July 4, 1985. Together, they had six children from this union: Bobbie, LeNita, Ronnie, Violetia, Sillisa, and Kimmie.
She spent a number of years of her professional life working at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School prior to her retirement.
As a very involved member of her community, she participated in organizations such as the Mothers’ Board at the Iron Side Association; Eastern Stars; and the Anointed Women’s Choir. She was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church where she was appointed to the Mothers’ Board.
Lena enjoyed getting on various church buses with her companions and traveling to different church events across the country. Her priorities in life were serving her God, caring for her family and cooking.
Her participation in programs with other active senior citizens at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center was something that she looked forward to as often as her health would permit.
Lena is survived by two sons: Ronnie McClure and Kimmie (Angie) McClure both of Nashville, TN; one step-son, Johnnie Ewing of Chicago, IL; two daughters: LeNita (Henry) Johnson of Flossmoor, IL and Sillisa Humphrey of Country Club Hills, IL; fourteen grandchildren: Lloyd Petty, Erica Petty, Danielle Campbell, Pamela McClure, Loren Johnson, Barbara Farrell McClure, Alex Harwell III, Brittani (Brandon) Williams, Stephen Johnson, David Johnson, Jasmine (James) Jones, Lance McClure, Tevon McClure and Sabrina Humphrey; Lena is also survived by her 11 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.; and two siblings: Lillian Peoples of Tanner, Alabama and Julius C. (J.C) Armstrong of Mt. Pleasant, TN. Lena was preceded in death by her son Bobbie McClure; as well, as her daughter Violetia McClure Harwell, and siblings Finley Armstrong, Earlest Armstrong, Thomas Armstrong, Ophelia Humphrey and Bertha Graham.
She will be missed by several dear friends: Annie Louise Woodson and Mother Katie; a devoted cousin, Celia B. Stephenson, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers (Grandsons): Alex Harwell III, Stephen Johnson, David Johnson, Lance McClure, Tevon McClure and Malandix McClure.
Honorary Pallbearers: Aunt Lena’s Nephews and the Deacons of New Hope Primitive Baptist Church.
Flower Ladies: Aunt Lena’s Nieces.