Burwell Beeman "BB" McClendon Jr.

Burwell Beeman “BB” McClendon, Jr. died peacefully on July 4, 2022 at The Hughes Center, St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, MS. Born on December 24, 1930 to Burwell Beeman McClendon, Sr. and Mae Allred McClendon, BB grew up in the Belhaven neighborhood in Jackson, MS and attended Power Elementary and Bailey Junior High before graduating from Central High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and graduated in just 4 years with a BS (with distinction) and a LLB from the UM School of Law in 1952. While at Ole Miss, BB met Grace Jean Gillespie of Charleston, MS. They were engaged at the 1953 Sugar Bowl and married March 29, 1953. They then moved to Texas where BB served two years in the US Air Force as a JAG officer, stationed at Lackland (San Antonio), Bergstrom (Austin)and Carswell (Ft Worth) Air Force Bases. They returned to Jackson in 1955 to make it their permanent home.

Mr. McClendon, at age 25, served as Assistant District Attorney for Hinds, Madison, and Yazoo before joining his father as a partner in private practice for over 30 years. BB was a life-long Republican and part of a small group that worked hard to establish the Republican Party in Mississippi in the mid-1950’s and early 60’s. He was a proud Founding Member of Jackson Preparatory School which opened in 1970, and served on the first Board of Directors. BB loved tennis and enjoyed playing 2-3 times a week with his regular groups at the Country Club of Jackson and River Hills until he was 80. He also looked forward to weekly lunches with treasured friends on Tuesdays at Bravo and Fridays at Fat Tuesday. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

BB loved to travel and was always planning the next big trip! He read and studied the history and archeology of the destinations and often knew as much (or more, so he said!) than the tour guides. He and Grace Jean enjoyed many international trips and exotic adventures around-the-world. They were very proud of attending all four Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments (Australian Open-Melbourne, French Open-Paris, Wimbledon-London, U.S. Open-New York).

BB especially enjoyed spending time with his whole family dining out at favorite restaurants, celebrating holidays, and beach trips to Destin. Through the years he devoted much time to researching and recording family genealogy. He also loved spending time in his yard trimming and clipping bushes and trees, and could be seen most days with his brown bucket picking up pine cones.

Mr. McClendon was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Jean Gillespie McClendon, his parents, and his sister, Dorothy McClendon Bascom of Gulfport, MS. He is survived by his three children: Marilyn McClendon of Jackson, MS; Burl McClendon (Terri) of Austin, TX; Barry McClendon (Donna) of Georgetown, TX; five grandchildren: Mary Grace McClendon Mooney (Ian) of Austin, TX; Emy McClendon Smith (Cole) of Dallas, TX; Taylor McClendon (Holland) of Austin, TX; Anders McClendon of Austin, TX; Avery McClendon of Cedar Park, TX; and five great-grandchildren: Lynn, Mac, and Elouise Mooney of Austin, TX; Palmer and Miller Smith of Dallas, TX. Also surviving are one niece, four nephews and numerous cousins, all much-loved.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude for BB’s wonderful care to Dr. Paul VanLandingham, Dr. Holland Addison, Dr. Jeffrey Morris, NP Gina Seago, Hospice Ministries, and especially the staff of Campbell Cove (Hughes Center) at St. Catherine’s Village.

Visitation will be at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS on Friday, July 8 from 10:00am to 10:45am, followed by a graveside service at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 1390 North State St., Jackson, MS 39202 or Jackson Preparatory School, Attn: Tuition Assistance, 3100 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, MS 39232.