Joe Alfred McCluney

Joe McCluney, age 98, of Jasper, retired executive director of the Jasper Area Chamber of Commerce from 1963 to 1987, died Wednesday, August 23, after a short illness. During his 25 years as Chamber executive, Joe was known for his involvement innumerous civic endeavors and especially for his alliance-building with citizens and the business community. A usual sight in Jasper was Joe moving from meeting to meeting with an armload of papers in tow. His work with the Mental Health Association is especially remembered as is his work with the Walker County Farmers Market as a founding member and longtime treasurer.

Noted for his outgoing personality and willingness to help others, Joe represented the citizens and community he loved with singular dedication, as recognized by his notable accomplishments and recognition by his Chamber peers statewide and nationally. While he often traveled the state and the country on Chamber-related business, he always considered Walker County a special place.

From his birth in the foothills of the Appalachians, Cherokee County, Alabama, Joe was raised by parents who believed in the virtues of being good, loving others, and hard work, traits he carried throughout his life. A graduate of Gaylesville High School with honors, Joe served in the U.S. Army during and after World War II. Attached to the 3rd Army in Munich, Heidelberg, and other German cities, his work included operating some of the first cardpunch computers and IBM electronic accounting machines used to gather, evaluate, and forward intelligence to the proper authorities. In all, he served sixteen months in Europe.

After the service, Joe returned home to Alabama and graduated from the University of Alabama where he met the love of his life, Margaret Locke, of Marion, beginning a special relationship which would last for over fifty years until Margaret’s death in 2010. Their marriage would produce three children, Sandra, Margaret Judson (Juddie) and Al. During that time, Joe served Chambers of Commerce in Geneva, Ozark, Atmore, and Jasper, where he and Margaret would eventually put down roots on 8thAvenue and enjoy raising their family among a large number of friends.

Joe was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, parents, Olin and Myrtle Hartline McCluney of Gaylesville, as well as his son, Al, of Nashville, Tennessee, and a grandson, Alan Lee Griggs, Jr., also of Nashville, as well as a brother, Donald, of Columbia, South Carolina. He is survived by his daughter, Reverend Sandra Griggs (Alan) of Nashville, daughter Juddie Sayles (John) of Sparks, Nevada, and his daughter-in- law, Laura McCluney, of Nashville as well as four beloved nephews. Joe always felt he was especially blessed by his nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom remember the special times with their GrandJoe. He remained close to his sisters-in-law, Frances Rumley of York, Gwen Miller of Lillian, and Chris Hall of Muscle Shoals and their families.

The highest standard for anyone should be to leave the world a better place and there is no doubt Joe McCluney did just that. Giving help to those in need and contributing his expertise to making Walker County a better place to live and do business are legacies his family and friends will always cherish. His was a life well-lived, true to his virtues, and God-centered, as he served for many years in various capacities with The Methodist Church.

A memorial service for Joe will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023, at one o’clock at Jasper First Methodist Church with visitation beginning at noon. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Walker Area Community Foundation, Jasper First Methodist Church, or the Walker County Farmers Market.

The family is especially grateful to Joe’s friends and neighbors Rusty and Elizabeth Richardson and Haig Wright for their unselfish devotion and to the good people at Harbor Chase of Jasper, Joe’s home for the last six years