From turning “trash into treasure” to being a devoted grandmother and faithful believer, McClellan shares the joys and lessons of a life full of love, laughter, and adventure.
By Becky Holland
If you asked Patricia (Sewell) McClellan, 67, what makes her happiest, she wouldn’t hesitate.
“First and foremost is my relationship with God,” she said. “I’ve been on a journey the past several months to deepen that relationship, to know Him like I never have before, and to trust Him completely. God has never failed me. Even though my family didn’t go to church, I’ve always known there is a God. Over the years, He has placed amazing people in my path to help me find Him.”
Her second source of joy is her husband. McClellan is on her second marriage and says God has blessed her with the most wonderful man. “He is God-centered and walks with me in my spiritual journey. He is the glue that keeps me together.” The couple met on the dating site Plenty of Fish and have been married almost 17 years. She laughed, “He’s from Alabama. Because I had been a magnet for toothless men in my early dating adventures, I was looking for a man with teeth—and he had all of his.”
Family, too, holds a central place in her heart. “My children and grandchildren mean everything to me,” she said. “I was barely 20 when God entrusted me to raise two beautiful souls. They’re as different as they are alike, and I have a unique relationship with each. I have two bonus children who love me as their own, and my husband and I have 15 grandchildren between us.”
McClellan first moved to Bleckley County in 1989. “Max, my first husband, worked at the Base. We lived in Cordele and wanted to get closer to Warner Robins. Several of his coworkers recommended we check out Cochran. Low property taxes, the school system, and Middle Georgia College sold us.”
After serving as activity director at Bryant Health and Rehab Center in Cochran, McClellan recently retired. “I’m looking forward to this new chapter,” she said. “I have a wonderful husband who supports all my crazy ideas, and I want the opportunity to spend more time with him. I’m a history nut, so there are some places I’ve always wanted to see. We’ll do some traveling. I want to spend time doing God’s work, and I even have some things lined up at the church… and maybe, who knows, even delve into the newspaper business.”
When asked about women who inspire her, McClellan paused to reflect. “My mother was my hero. Her hands rocked my cradle, soothed my brow when I was sick, spanked me when I needed it, and gently pushed me out into the world—but they never let me go.” She added with a smile, “Sally Field’s portrayal of M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias is who I want to be when I grow up.”
Known for her creativity, McClellan has many hobbies. “Evidently, when they announced they were giving out bodies in Heaven, I thought they said hobbies and went to the craft table,” she joked. “I love to turn trash into treasure—rescuing items from the discard pile and transforming them into something they were never meant to be. Writing is another passion of mine.”
Perhaps her most cherished role, though, is that of grandmother. “Being a grandmother has been an amazing journey, so different from being a parent,” she said. “I don’t have all the responsibilities I had raising my own children, nor do I have outside influences fighting me for time. I get to be the good guy all the time. I pray God allows me to always be a soft place to land for them. I am blessed beyond measure.”
Her favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, reflects her guiding principle: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”
Asked what advice she would give her younger self, McClellan said, “Don’t worry so much. Your life is going to be more amazing than you ever dreamed. So many wonderful people will cross your path. Some will walk with you for a few steps, some for miles, and a few for the entire journey. They’ll have a profound impact on your life. You’ll experience a variety of jobs that will challenge you, teach you, and help you grow. Remember, always let God be your guide.”
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