Harvey McClure Obituary

Harvey Ernest McClure, 84, passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at Pruitt Health in Jasper.

He was born June 17, 1941, in Gilmer County, Georgia, and was the youngest of 10 children born to the late Ruben ""Rube"" and Nila Thompson McClure.

He retired from Gold Kist Poultry in 2005 and was a faithful, dedicated member of Turniptown Baptist Church for 65 years, having previously served at various times as church clerk, song leader and Sunday school superintendent. He was a skilled master craftsman and woodworker, having produced several one of a kind pieces for his church, as well as for many friends and family, never charging any money for his creations.

He was a savvy, clever outdoorsman, coon and squirrel hunter, and loved walking through the mountains as a younger man. He loved convention style gospel singing and was a former vice president of the Gilmer County Singing Convention and was also a member of the Oak Bowery Masonic Lodge #81. He was a very seasoned traveler, having traveled to 49 states and Canada with his late wife, Jo, along with several friends who would frequently join them on their many, many trips. He had a very strong love for the Pennsylvania farm country and for the Amish communities and the people who live there. He was a hard worker, a devoted husband, a wise daddy who gave good counsel, a loving grandfather and great grandfather, a faithful and humble church member who believed in sound doctrine and good order, a great traveling buddy, a trustworthy neighbor and a loyal friend.

In addition to his late wife of 56 years, Jo Painter McClure, he is preceded in death by his parents and all siblings, sisters, Vercil Parker, Esta Lou Nancy McClure, Zennia McDougal, Viola Walker, Lona Garland; brothers, Efford McClure, Homer McClure, Ardell McClure, Harold McClure and Price McClure)

He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and Chasity McClure, Shane and Noel McClure, all of Ellijay; grandchildren, Rily (Maggie) McClure, of Jefferson, GA, Beth (Brandon) Adams, of Lithonia, Jesse (Lianna) McClure, of Athens and AJ McClure, of Ellijay; great-grandchildren, Phoenix Lee Adams, Emma Catherine Adams and Maverick Boyd McClure; sisters-in-law, Jodie Painter, of Katy, Texas and Oralee McClure, of Dalton. Many nieces and nephews, as well as a great host of family and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. from the Turniptown Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Dan Wilkins, the Rev. Billy Cantrell, the Rev. Steve Jones and the Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Music will be by the Turniptown Baptist Church Choir.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery with the Rev. Cecil Townley officiating. The following gentlemen will be serving as pallbearers: Riley McClure, Jesse McClure, AJ McClure, Brandon Adams, Brian Wright, John Morrow and Josh Chastain. Honorary pallbearers will be, Phoenix Lee Adams, Maverick Boyd McClure, Gary Faucett, Clifford Stanley, Jim McVey, Eddie Mullinax, Randy Dyer, the Rev. Paul Richards, the Rev. Russell Burt, the Rev. Bobby Green, Dennis Ralston, George Ralston, Steve Ralston, Edgar Land, Larry Fox, Jr., George Winn, Bill Yarborough, Boyd Parks, Chris Martin, Johnny Bradford, Corey Crump, Scott Panter, William Stover, Waldo Pierce, Randy Westbrook, Mark McDougal, Emmett Fowler, the members of Oak Bowery Lodge #81 and the deacons of Turniptown Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 6, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Bernhardt Funeral Home and again Saturday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the North Georgia School of Gospel Music at www.ngsgm.com in memory of Harvey McClure.

Bernhardt Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.