Mardell Alice McClurkin, 86, of Alma, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 13, 2025. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith, Arkansas, a retired school teacher, and a preacher’s wife. Mardell was born November 18, 1938, in Fort Smith, Arkansas to the late Tony and Mardell (Hibler) Christello. She was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Herschel McClurkin, and her parents, Tony and Mardell (Christello.)
Mardell leaves behind a legacy that no amount of words can truly capture. Her industrious nature knew no bounds—she worked tirelessly, often through the late hours of the night, to accomplish whatever task was at hand. Mardell began her adult journey working as a registrar at Fort Smith Junior College (UAFS) tackling her assigned roles along with teaching bowling, sponsoring the cheerleaders, and planning orientation and graduation. With Mardell, you always got above and beyond! Later, her career journey led her to teaching. As a teacher extraordinaire, she touched the lives of countless students, from young children in elementary school to senior adults attending Pace Setters at FUMC in Fort Smith. She was willing to teach anyone that was eager to learn! Her passion for teaching went beyond the classroom, as she was a guiding light to everyone she encountered. She believed in the potential of each person and dedicated herself to helping them reach it, always with patience, grace, a sense of humor, and an expectation that all would rise to their potential. The family lovingly referred to her as “The Captain” because she had a way of commanding authority, delegating tasks, and getting the job done! Whether at her job as registrar or at countless church functions, Shoal Creek Camp, or in the classroom, she poured her heart into everything she did.
It would be remiss to account for Mardell’s life without mentioning her life with Herschel by her side. After a long courtship, Mardell and Herschel were married on August 13, 1967. After Herschel finished his master’s degree at Perkins Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX, the two linked arms in ministry in the Methodist Church that spanned multiple decades and touched countless lives. They led congregations together across the state of AR starting in Gentry, then to Russellville, Walnut Ridge, Newport, Wynne, to a District Superintendent appointment in Conway, and finishing out with “retirement positions” in Greenwood and Kibler. Mardell was very much a part of this ministry, often referred to as the lagniappe to Herschel. However, all that knew her knew she was way more than just “a little something extra”. It was no secret that she was as much a part of the assignment as Herschel was. After Herschel passed away in 2017, Mardell continued to carry on her life mission to “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can”- John Wesley. There is no doubt that her reunion with Herschel has added “a little something extra” to Heaven.
Funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas with a visitation reception following, and then the interment at Alma City Cemetery in Alma, Arkansas. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. Friday, January 17, 2025, at Ocker Funeral Home of Alma. Pallbearers will be Dr. Blake Scheer, Graham Scheer, Hayes McClurkin, Larry Blasingame, Michael McClurkin, Trevor McClurkin, and Sam Spencer. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kendall McClurkin, Jared McClurkin, Scott Christello, and Paxton Frank. Services are under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Alma.
Mardell is survived by her daughter, Alice Hays Scheer and husband Dr. Blake Scheer of Little Rock, AR; son, “Trey” Herschel McClurkin III and wife Tammie of Conway, AR; grandchildren, Graham Patrick Scheer, Ella Hays Scheer, Emma Hope McClurkin, Siah Faith McClurkin, Hayes Ruel McClurkin, and sister, Rosemary Blasingame.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Shoal Creek Methodist Camp, ℅ Renee Henson, 1102 Northview Drive, Van Buren, AR 72956 or online at www.shoalcreekcamp.com. Shoal Creek Camp was very near and dear to Mardell’s heart and your generosity will honor her spirit of giving and continue the work she was so passionate about. Thank you for your love and support during this difficult time.