Becky Brown *
Family and friends mourn the loss of Denise McCellon. Denise died Wednesday, January 31, 2018 after a brief illness. Her family was holding her hands at the time of her death.
Much of Denise’s life was defined by moments of great joy and great sadness. We choose to remember the joy in her life.
Denise was born June 8, 1957 to J. L. and Sandra McCellon. She grew up in the Graceton community of Upshur County. She was the eldest of three girls and wielded her position among the sisters with authority. Her early life was defined by her church life at the Graceton Church of Christ, her school life at New Diana schools, and a busy life of farm chores, farm fun and school activities. She was a member of the 4-H Club and found many friends in that organization. There are many good memories and many great stories to remember and tell. Throughout her life, she was always a McCellon.
Denise graduated from New Diana High School and was salutatorian of the Class of 1975. Her classmates there were friends for her lifetime. She also served as a substitute teacher there later in life and gained the respect and friendship of many students during that time.
The greatest loves of her life were her two boys, Tristan David Brown and Caleb Lloyd Brown. She raised two strong men, despite many challenges. Denise loved the loving of her sons.
Caleb preceded her in death. It was a great loss for Denise and she lived with the grief of that loss every day. Caleb and his wife, Kameron Brown, also gave Denise the gift of grandchildren and made her a Mimi. Her five grandchildren were a blessing to her. She loved them dearly.
Denise was preceded in death by her son, Caleb, and also by her father, J. L. McCellon. Those who survive to love and miss her are her oldest son, Tristan, and her mother, Sandra McCellon. Included in her family is daughter-in-law Kameron Brown and five grandchildren: Breanna Horack, and Bianca, Brinklie, Braylie and Bryson Brown.
Also mourning her loss are her sisters, Tina McCellon Turner and Venita McCellon-Allen. There were three, and now there are two. She will always be with us.
Denise was loved by her nieces: Hannah Turner Villareal, Lissy Turner and Mary Carol Allen. She treated her nieces as if they were her own children. She was always good for teasing and for a laugh, and she remained friends with her nieces as they grew to adults.
Denise will also be missed by her church family at Graceton Church of Christ and her work family at Wellborn Mechanical, where she served as office manager for 17 years. She was widely known in her community for her kindness and the encouragement and support she gave to others. She gave her friendship generously and freely to others. So many blessed her life in return.
Services for Denise were Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Graceton Church of Christ with Jason Stapleton officiating. Interment will follow at Mattox Cemetery in Diana.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Grubbs-Loyd Funeral Home in Diana.