Gloria Jeanine (Waters) McClendon

Mrs. Gloria Jeanine McClendon, age 87, of Hazlehurst, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro.

She was born on January 13, 1938, in Alma to the late Dewitt Waters and Sally Davis Waters. In 1956, she met and married the love of her life and soon after moved to Hazlehurst, where she spent the rest of her days building a home filled with love, laughter, and hospitality.

A devoted homemaker, Mrs. Gloria was known for her kind heart, generous spirit, and strong opinions. She never met a stranger and was always ready with a warm meal, a story, or a handmade gift. She especially loved crocheting for her family and friends—baby blankets and outfits were her specialty. She also found joy in cooking, canning vegetables, fishing, and tending to her flowers.

She was a faithful member of Restoration Church, where she found great joy and fellowship. Her family was her greatest pride, and she loved them deeply. She was sweet and nurturing, but never shy to speak her mind. She is now reunited with her beloved husband, and will be deeply missed.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Lonzie McClendon; her brothers, Bud Waters, Cecil Waters, Penny Waters, Wilton Waters, Andy Waters, John Waters, Hubert Waters, and Billy Waters; and her sisters, Linda Carrol Kersey and Wilma Price.

Her family includes her sons, Tommy Lonzie McClendon (Elise), Kenneth Darrell McClendon (Carla), and Keith Harrell McClendon (Tracy), all of Hazlehurst; her daughter, Debra Ann McClendon (Steve) of Hazlehurst; her brother, Wayne Waters of Hazlehurst; her sisters, Opal Cothren of Jacksonville, Fl, and Dorothy Wrenn (Steve) of Lyons; her grandchildren, Chris McClendon (Samantha) of Blackshear, Justin Carter (Taylor) of Guyton, Emily McClendon (Chad), and Josh McClendon (Amori), all of Hazlehurst; seven great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Restoration Church with Rev. Mike Gilbert and Brother Carl Taylor officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until just prior to the service.

Interment will follow at Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of Restoration Church.

Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home and the McClendon family are in charge of arrangements.

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