Willie Bell McClendon was born on September 4, 1934, in Eufaula, Alabama, to the late Amos and Mamie Palmore. Willie Bell was born to a large loving family of 16 siblings. She gave her life to Christ at an early age where she attended Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Eufaula, Alabama. She met Mr. Sam McClendon, who was a dedicated Sunday school teacher in Eufaula and not so long after they met the two of them decided to be married in 1953. Destined for a better life they moved to Tampa, FL. where their three sons were born, Perry, Terry, and Reginald Charles McClendon (Jerry). In her early adult life until retirement, Willie Bell was employed with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department as a crossing guard. Due to her love of children, she also became a mentor to the younger students at Shaw Elementary and Robles Elementary School until she retired from service. Willie Bell and her husband both joined the New Mt. Silla Missionary Baptist Church where they served for many years and was a member of the Adult Choir and served on the usher and missionary board. Her husband served as an ordained deacon teaching Sunday school and visiting the sick and shut-in. After many years of serving faithfully to the Lord, Willie Bells husband was called by God to preach the gospel. Rev. Sam McClendon then organized and became the pastor of New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he preached and taught God's word for many years until his passing. Willie Bell continued her Christian duties faithfully within the church for many years. After the death of her husband, Willie Bells health started to decline causing her to remain homebound, where she still held to her faith in the Lord, reading her Bible daily and watching the sermons on television.

Willie Bell was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Sam McClendon and loving parents Amos and Mamie Palmore; brothers, Robert Palmore, Sr., Sammy Lee Palmore, Frank Palmore, Dorey Palmore, and Amos Palmore, Jr.; sisters, Rosa Will Bishop, Katie Bell Patrick, Ethel Deloach, Mozell Woodard, Flower Bell Palmore, Leila Mae Hogan, Mary Humphrey and Emma Johnson; a beloved brother-in-law, Charles McClendon.

Willie Bell leaves to cherish her three sons, Perry McClendon, Terry McClendon (Christine), and Reginald Charles (Jerry) McClendon (Bonnie) all of Tampa Florida; sister, Virginia Palmore of Tampa, sisters-in-law, Pearl Martin of California and Earlean McClendon of Georgia, Beatrice McClendon of Cleavland, OH.; grandchildren, Perry McClendon, Jr. of Dallas, TX., Joanne John (Tennessee), Terry McClendon, Jr. and wife Jaime of New York, Conneatha Lashawne McClendon, Sean McClendon and Rochelle McClendon all of Tampa, FL.; step-grandchildren, Nicholas and Michael, of Tampa, FL.; great-grandchildren, Samira and Micah John (Tennessee), Legacy Tahiry, and James Bernard Morgan II both of Tampa, FL.; and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Calling/Visitation Hours
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Aikens Funeral Home
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33610

Graveside Service
Thursday, March 14, 2024
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery
4615 East Hanna Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610