Iva "Lavelle" (Jones) McLendon

Iva Lavelle J. McLendon passed away peacefully at her home at Pearl on Thursday evening, August 8, 2024, with her devoted family by her bedside. She was born on August 13, 1924, in the Martinville Community of Simpson County, Mississippi. Lavelle lived a very full and productive life and was taken just five days shy of 100 years.

Lavelle was preceded in death by W. D. McLendon, her husband of 75 years, their daughter Paulette Wall, and Chris Wall, their grandson. She is survived by Granddaughter Sherrelle Terrell and Great-Grandson Derek Terrell, both of Pearl, along with a number of cousins and caregivers.

Lavelle was a person of multiple talents. She was a brilliant artist, flower arranger, doll maker, and decorator. Her natural gift of transforming common objects into works of art was recognized far and wide by her friends and relatives.

For 30 years, Lavelle served as secretary at Westbrook Manufacturing Company. Her family often said of her, "She went from plowing mules to being a personal secretary for the head of a large manufacturing company." She and her husband W. D. were charter members of Oak Forest Baptist Church, where each served in many capacities through the years.

Lavelle never forgot her roots as a Simpson County county girl, and she paid tribute to those humble origins often by quoting some old adages she held especially dear. One she used often when wanting to show total disdain for a situation was: "Let the big 'un hit the little 'un and the rough end drag." Another one of her favorites when signing off over the phone was: "Now, keep me up!" Her sparkling wit, her great humor, her contagious laughter, and her natural gift of offering encouragement will all be greatly missed by those who knew her best.

The family will receive friends from 10:00am until 11:00am on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Her funeral service will follow visitation at 11:00am that same day at the funeral home. Committal services will be held afterwards at the Lakewood Memorial Park Pavilion on Clinton Boulevard in Jackson.