DALLAS, Texas — Flora Ferrell McClarin entered the glory of Heaven and woke up early Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In addition to her being clothed with the garments of salvation, we envision her dressed in pink, with earrings and shoes to match.
Mrs. McClarin was born July 10, 1937 in Waycross, the middle child and only daughter of Dr. Thomas Joseph Ferrell and Flora Conoly Ferrell. She adored her loving brothers, Tom and Will, and was in close and frequent contact with them through all of life (especially during halftimes of University of Georgia football games).
Growing up next door to her four first cousins, Mrs. McClarin was pure tomboy. She was tough, climbed trees, and joined in stick ball and other sports on the dirt road in front of their home (always being among the first selected on a team comprised of both boys and girls).
At some point in high school, Mrs. McClarin blossomed into the lovely woman whom we all know and love. But her internal competitiveness never waned. All her life she kept her love of sports, whether on a tennis court, playing bridge, Rummikub, or mahjongg.
Above all, Mrs. McClarin was a “warrioress” on the golf course, even finishing as runner-up in the Georgia Senior Women’s Championship. Perhaps her fiercest fighting spirit came out as she watched Georgia football games. She bemoaned the team’s deplorable defense and hopeless effort upon the opponents getting even a single first down. She stayed in tune with the Dawg Nation app to the very end, relishing the Bulldogs’ back-to-back national championships.
Mrs. McClarin loved playing hostess over the years with friends and family, organizing family reunions and gathering others in her home to simply enjoy their company and reconnect. She embodied the spirit of a Steel Magnolia — Southern charm with a stern resolve and grit to obtain the results she desired.
Mrs. McClarin began college at Randolph-Macon and later transferred to Vanderbilt. She met her husband, Bill, working at a summer camp in Wisconsin. After Bill's graduation from Vanderbilt Medical School and their wedding, the couple lived in Birmingham, Ala. Soon after the couple moved to Houston where their two children were born in the late 1960s.
In the early ’70s, the young family returned to Waycross and moved into Mrs. McClarin’s childhood home at 1521 St. Mary’s Drive, beginning another generation of memories of golf and tennis at Okefenokee Country Club, and raking pine straw and tending to her flowers.
After more than 40 years in Waycross, The McClarins moved to Dallas in 2015, fostering another community of close friends, many of whom remarked often that she was the best dressed woman at The Tradition.
In Dallas, Mrs. McClarin was a faithful member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church and grew in her faith through Bible studies at The Tradition.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Mrs. McClarin is survived by her husband of over 63 years, Dr. William Maddux McClarin, Jr.; her children Flora “Fofo” (Tom) Neuhoff and Bill (Nicole) McClarin III; her grandchildren, Thomas (Emily and great-granddaughter Mattie), Flora, Jane, Hudson, Mary and Will Neuhoff, and Maddux and Harris McClarin; her older brother Tom (Joy) Ferrell and younger brother Will (Sharon) Ferrell; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to BraveLove (bravelove.org), Faith Presbyterian Hospice Caring Fund (forefrontliving.org) or the charity of your choice.
Memorial services celebrating Mrs. McClarin will be held Saturday, March 18 in Dallas and at 4 p.m. Friday, April 21 at the First Presbyterian Church, 601 Hill Street, Waycross.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
