Gwen Rae McLelland

Gwen Rae McLelland, of Austin, passed away at her home on Sunday, May 27, 2012, at age 83. Visitation will be Monday, May 28, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend David Mitchell of the Parkmeadows Baptist Church of Corsicana officiating. Burial will follow in Hogan Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike McLelland, Joel McLelland, Rodney Samuel, Jamie Harris, Lee McLelland, and Bill Nixon. Gwen Rae was born on a beautiful spring day in Groesbeck Texas, with flowers in full bloom to celebrate her arrival. Her favorite childhood activity was spending time with her dear grandmothers whom she adored. After high school in Waco and attending Baylor University she began to follow one of the great passions of her life: flying. She was an early flight attendant for Pioneer Airways which was the predecessor of Continental Airlines. Rio de Janeiro was one of her more exciting trips. Gwen was also an officer in the Civil Air Patrol for which she flew. It was only natural that she would marry a pilot, Billy Glenn McLelland, who was the love of her life. She first met him at the age of 14 outside the one-room schoolhouse in Box Church, Texas, where her mother Inez Franklin was the solo teacher. Gwen’s 40 year marriage to ‘Col. Bill’ was a great example of love and affection. Gwen was talented in many ways; she was an artist and registered genealogist. Being a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas was very meaningful to her as well. It is through love and service to family that Gwen will be most remembered. She was a stand for and inspiration to her son in ways he would only later discover. Her open home filled with food was a favorite ‘crash pad’ to his many high school and college friends who often filled her house with fun. She adored and loved her grandchildren Matthew and Lacey more than her own life. She has several life-long friends, but held her sister in law JoEleene McLelland dearest of all, for she was the sister she never had. Breast cancer finally got the best of Gwen after a mercifully short battle. She died peacefully at home with her family. She is succeeded by her son Mark McLelland MD and his wife Leisa and children Matthew and Lacey. Her dear sister in law JoEleene McLelland has children Mike and Joel McLelland and Donna Samuel. Her sister in law Mary Murdock and her daughter Diann Lacroix are dear to her as well, as is the family of cousin Jim Scherer MD and his children Chris, David, and John. Gwen Rae has been a life-long inspiration and example of selfless devotion. The musical laughter of “Mammaw” will fill our hearts with love and warm memories forever. She has truly been the wind beneath the wings of her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.