Jean Wilson McClatchy, 80, of Indianola, passed away Monday, August 12, 2024, at The Pinnacle in Greenville.

Born in rural Tishomingo County, the oldest of five children, Jean cared for the younger children while her mother worked at a local plant. She walked over 2 miles to catch the school bus. She must have come to value education because she always stressed the importance of education and helped her daughter, Elizabeth McClatchy Sparks, study. Elizabeth went on to be the valedictorian of her class at Indianola Academy. She graduated Magna Cum Laude at Ole Miss and received a master's degree at the University of Memphis in Speech Pathology. Jean married Charles McClatchy on May 18, 1963. She worked for many years in the administrative office of Holiday Inn, Incorporated. In 1974, she and Charles moved to Indianola, and she began working for many years as an administrative assistant at Indianola Academy. Jean then worked at Mississippi Delta Community College for 14 years until her retirement, where she helped to establish aid for disadvantaged students. She had a strong love for animals. Jean helped to start the Humane Society in Indianola and helped to raise money to build the Hough Dement Animal Shelter. She was a member of the First Methodist Church in Indianola.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Wilson and Ruth Adams Wilson; daughter, Elizabeth McClatchy Sparks; and brother, William Harold Wilson.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Charles McClatchy of Indianola and three sisters, Jane Wilson Frey (Harold) of Southaven, Joan Wilson Henderson (Vernon) of Middleton, Tennessee, and June Wilson Barringer (Robbie) of Olive Branch.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at First Methodist Church in Indianola. The memorial service will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Michael Lindsey officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, August 16, 2024, at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd., Bartlett, TN 38133. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.