Obituary for Ossie Lee McClellan
Ossie Lee McClellan Sr., 78, the eleventh child of Ocie B. Hurt McClellan and Robert McClellan Sr., embarked upon life on June 8, 1944, in Hickman Kentucky (Fulton County). He peacefully escaped this earthly life on Saturday, March 4, at 8:40 pm, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by loved ones.
Ossie was educated in the public school system of Hickman Kentucky. During his school years, he played basketball as a pastime while he pondered how he would maneuver his life going forward. One of his pastimes was watching the Tugboats go up and down the Mississippi River, behind his home. Ossie often stated how difficult it was growing up in Kentucky. In his own words, “I would go outside and pray to God to hurry up and make me grown".
After growing up, Ossie moved to Groton, CT in 1962. He was determined to become a productive individual. He was employed by Groton Recycling Plant, Electric Boat, N.E. Construction, and the Department of Highway. There Ossie honed his skills and talents and left the Highway Department to become Self-employed.
At the very young age of 21, he launched his own business, thus creating Ossie & Sons Paving. Once upon a time, He was a large Minority owned business., he acquired some of the largest contracts, and was listed in The Hartford Almanac for having some of the largest Commercial Jobs in Eastern and Southeastern Connecticut.
After successfully running Ossie & Sons Construction Business for several years, he decided to retire from the Construction business. After approximately 15 years, Ossie decided to re-enter the Business, this time to remain Self-employed for life with his business New London Paving.
Ossie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raising farm animals. He was fond of Beaver Hounds, and Pitt Bulls. Gardening was his joy. He grew some of the largest collard greens around. Ossie was a family man, who loved all his family and friends. He really enjoyed family times and cookouts. Ossie has left us in mourning and will forever remain in our hearts and minds.
Ossie leaves to pay a richly deserved tribute to his memory; wife, Jennifer Maddox-McClellan, thirteen children, Katherine, Wayne, Stephanie, Timothy, Tina, Matthew, Tiffany, Dana, La'Tasha, Deidre, Temika, Jivonna, and Keisha, thirty grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one brother, Jesse McClellan, three sisters-in-law, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, an army of nephews and nieces, numerous cousins, acquaintances, and friends.
In addition to his parents, Ossie was preceded in death by two sons, Ossie, Jr., and Shawn, five brothers, Mac, Robert, Lee, William, and John (JW), seven sisters, Opra, Rosie Lee, Willanna, Virgie, Ella Mae, Pearl Lee, Waheeda Amin (Emma Jean), nephews, and nieces.
Services will convene at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1 Garvin Street in New London, on Friday, March 17th. Viewing begins at 10 am, with services following at 11 am. Burial immediately follows at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 638 Broad Street, New London, CT 06320.
Ossie was educated in the public school system of Hickman Kentucky. During his school years, he played basketball as a pastime while he pondered how he would maneuver his life going forward. One of his pastimes was watching the Tugboats go up and down the Mississippi River, behind his home. Ossie often stated how difficult it was growing up in Kentucky. In his own words, “I would go outside and pray to God to hurry up and make me grown".
After growing up, Ossie moved to Groton, CT in 1962. He was determined to become a productive individual. He was employed by Groton Recycling Plant, Electric Boat, N.E. Construction, and the Department of Highway. There Ossie honed his skills and talents and left the Highway Department to become Self-employed.
At the very young age of 21, he launched his own business, thus creating Ossie & Sons Paving. Once upon a time, He was a large Minority owned business., he acquired some of the largest contracts, and was listed in The Hartford Almanac for having some of the largest Commercial Jobs in Eastern and Southeastern Connecticut.
After successfully running Ossie & Sons Construction Business for several years, he decided to retire from the Construction business. After approximately 15 years, Ossie decided to re-enter the Business, this time to remain Self-employed for life with his business New London Paving.
Ossie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raising farm animals. He was fond of Beaver Hounds, and Pitt Bulls. Gardening was his joy. He grew some of the largest collard greens around. Ossie was a family man, who loved all his family and friends. He really enjoyed family times and cookouts. Ossie has left us in mourning and will forever remain in our hearts and minds.
Ossie leaves to pay a richly deserved tribute to his memory; wife, Jennifer Maddox-McClellan, thirteen children, Katherine, Wayne, Stephanie, Timothy, Tina, Matthew, Tiffany, Dana, La'Tasha, Deidre, Temika, Jivonna, and Keisha, thirty grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one brother, Jesse McClellan, three sisters-in-law, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, an army of nephews and nieces, numerous cousins, acquaintances, and friends.
In addition to his parents, Ossie was preceded in death by two sons, Ossie, Jr., and Shawn, five brothers, Mac, Robert, Lee, William, and John (JW), seven sisters, Opra, Rosie Lee, Willanna, Virgie, Ella Mae, Pearl Lee, Waheeda Amin (Emma Jean), nephews, and nieces.
Services will convene at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1 Garvin Street in New London, on Friday, March 17th. Viewing begins at 10 am, with services following at 11 am. Burial immediately follows at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 638 Broad Street, New London, CT 06320.