Betty C. Claunch

Betty Lee Crum Claunch passed away peacefully at home in Pearl, Mississippi with her devoted husband and loving family by her side. Betty was born on February 7, 1930 in New Albany, Union County, Mississippi to Lee Alvin Crum and Grace Elizabeth Graves Crum. She graduated from New Albany High School in 1948 and attended Freed-Hardeman College- now Freed-Hardeman University- in Henderson, Tennessee. In 1950, She married Billy Glynn McMillen, and they had two sons, Robert Glynn McMillen and William Alvin McMillen. In 1959, Mr. McMillen’s life ended early due to an automobile accident in New Albany, Mississippi. Mrs. McMillen married James Haskell Claunch in 1963. Mr. Claunch had one son, Terry Vinson Claunch. The Claunches made New Albany their home until 1964 when they moved to Memphis, Tennessee. After living in Memphis for two and a half years, they moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 1967 and then to Brandon, Mississippi in 1995, where they resided until 2022 when the decision was made to be cared for by family in Pearl, Mississippi.

Betty Claunch will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, godly woman. She was a follower of Christ and a devout member of the church of Christ. She exemplified Christ in her life daily showing love and grace to all she encountered. She served as a homemaker to her husband and sons until their children were older, then became a receptionist at Azalea Christian Manor in Jackson, MS until retirement. Betty, along with her loving husband, volunteered their free time to the church and helping those in need.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lee Alvin and Grace Graves Crum, and her brother, Jimmie Alvin Crum and grandson, James Claunch. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, James Haskell Claunch; sons, Terry Claunch (Melanie) of Pearl, MS, Glynn McMillen (Earlene) of Pearl, MS, and Alvin McMillen (Debbie) of Brandon, MS; sisters, Joanne Alessandro (Budgie) of Boulder, CO and Jane Hellums of Olathe, KS; grandchildren, Chris McMillen (Carrie) of Starkville, MS, Tiffany Clark (David) of Brandon, MS; Amber Oakes (Sawyer) of Starkville, MS and Timothy McMillen (Anna Colby) of Mobile, AL; and great grandchildren, Aaron, Andrew and Alyssa Clark, Paxton and Mallory McMillen, Decker Oakes, and Campbell McMillen; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be held at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157, on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 12:00pm with the Memorial Service immediately following at 1:00pm.