Edward Riley McLelland

Edward Riley McLelland, age 95 went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Peak Resources Brookshire in Hillsborough. 

He was the son of the late James Barber McLelland and Lilly Potter McLelland and the husband of the late, Mona Faye Tedder McLelland.  He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn McLelland Davis and his granddaughter, Jana Davis McQueen. Edward was the last survivor of his immediate family, preceded in death by six sisters, Mary M. Jackson, Betty M. Caulkins, Lucille M. Shepherd, Barbara M. Herring, Janice E. McLelland and Wanda M. Barfield; and three brothers, Odom Wilson (OW) McLelland, Frank McLelland and Jim “Bouie” McLelland.

Edward graduated from Chadbourn High School in 1944 where he was a starter at shortstop and catcher all of his high school years, and was also a cast member of school plays his junior
 and senior years.

After graduation in 1944, he entered the US Navy and served on the USS Williams, a destroyer deployed in both the Atlantic and Pacific.  The ship was active, staying at sea for most of its’ service.  On September 29, 1945, the ship was caught in a violent storm, caving in the side, and washing one sailor overboard to his death.  The crew managed to save the ship making repairs in Guam and then more repairs in Pearl Harbor.

After returning from WWII, he lived most of his life in Columbus County where he worked for W.E. Bailey and later for Liberty Life until his retirement.  He became a member of the Chadbourn Baptist Church during WWII while on leave and later was ordained to be a Deacon.  In the 1970’s, he moved from Chadbourn and moved his membership to New Hope Baptist Church, where he was also ordained as a Deacon. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at Worthington Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dr. Darrin Moore officiating.  Interment will follow in Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 on Tuesday. 

He is survived by two sons, Edward Michael McLelland (Krystyna) of Raleigh and James Carey 
McLelland of North Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Andrew Scott McLelland of Charlotte and 
William Quentin McLelland of Raleigh; two great granddaughters, Laney Britt McQueen and Rylee Kate McQueen both in Whiteville.

Worthington Funeral Home in Chadbourn is serving the family.

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