Teresa Ann McClendon

Obituary Teresa Ann Brown was the sixth child born to Rev. Willie Brown, Sr. and Gladys Brown on June 27, 1960 in Kansas City, MO. She moved to Merriam, Kansas where she graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School. Teresa Brown married the late Rev. Connie James Sr. This blended family included Connie James Jr., Jermaine James, Willie Eugene James, Helena Bennett-James, Angela Williams, and Vickie Aceves. Although the marriage dissolved the family remained intact. Teresa James later married Alan McClendon. This marriage was dissolved but they remained friends. Teresa accepted the Lord at an early age. Her love for the Lord, music and imparting to others led her on a rewarding 45-year musical expedition. She began taking private piano lessons at an early age and later studied at the UMKC Conservatory of Music. She continued her musical pursuits by playing the alto saxophone in various school instrumental groups, including the Jazz Band. At the age of 13 she was a featured soloist with her school's Glee Club recording. She and her sisters (The Brown Sisters) performed throughout the Kansas City area. She was recruited by the late Carlton Black to be musician for the original Central High School Gospel Choir and began taking organ lessons from Wilbur (Boo Boo) Smith. At the age of 15 she became the organist for her home church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Meriam, KS, later pastored by her father. She simultaneously was the pianist for the Bethel Seventh-Day Adventist Youth Choir. Teresa played for several churches and formed many choirs in the city. She facilitated many workshops with numerous choirs in the greater Kansas City area and surrounding states. Being an accomplished musician, singer and songwriter, Teresa was a Music Promoter and Event Coordinator of Gospel Music for several years. Teresa accompanied many National Gospel Artists such as Margaret Pleasant Douroux, the late O’Landa Draper, Timothy Wright, Carnell Murrell, Albertina Walker, Melvin Williams and many other gospel artists. Dr. McClendon achieved many accomplishments in her life. She held a B.S. in Organizational Management Leadership, a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and pursued a PhD in Counseling until she was confronted with significant health challenges. In 2019, Teresa received an honorary doctorate in sacred music from Faith Bible College. Teresa was inducted into the Cambridge Who's Who of Business and Professional Women for her leadership as Director of Tri County Minority Women's Coalition. Teresa McClendon was a woman of varying interests which were reflected in her occupational journey. She was a teacher in the KCMO school district; Vice-Principal of the Academy of Kansas City Charter School; Counselor with the Swope Parkway Behavior Health Center; musician in USD 501 and Midland Care Connection Inc. (both of Topeka, KS) and organist for the Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel (KCMO) until her health began to decline. Teresa was active in the community and had a keen interest in civic affairs. She served as Past President of fundraising for the Kansas City Chapter of Sickle Cell Disease, Director of the Tri-County Minority Women’s Coalition, announcer for KGGN Radio Greater Kansas City King Celebration Committee and was founder of Vision Management and Sisters of Praise. Her desire to spread God’s word through music resulted in her recording “No One But Jesus,” in 2001, “Heart Song,” in 2004 and “I Wanna Be Ready,” in 2012. She also wrote and arranged many songs for various artists and projects. As she matured in Christ she received her evangelist missionary license in the Church of God in Christ. Evangelist McClendon became a member of the Temple of Deliverance COGIC under the leadership of Supt. W.O. Sherrod and served as the Praise & Worship Leader at the church. She was on the music staff for the Evangel District, Vice-President of the Kansas East Music Department, Music Director of the National Scholastic Motivation Ministries Youth Choir of COGIC, a member of GMWA Announcers Guild and Talent Subcommittee chairperson for the Kansas East Jurisdiction. Her final position was Minister of Music at Olive Branch Baptist Church (KCMO). Teresa credited her musical talents and personal accomplishments to God. She always stated, “Out of all of the places I have been blessed to travel and share my talents, Jesus Is The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me”. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Willie Brown, Sr. and Mrs. Gladys Brown-Gay; her son Jermaine James; two sisters, Phillis Webb and Maggie Brown Tramble; one brother James Brown, Sr.; one great-niece, Perris Lane; and former husband Connie James, Sr.. Evangelist McClendon departed this life on May 16, 2020. She leaves to cherish her memory two sons W. Eugene James and Connie James, Jr. (Adell); three daughters Helena Bennett (Kirk), Angela Williams (Rev. Tommy) and Vickie Aceves; eleven grandchildren Malcolm James "Pooh Bear", Avery, Jaylen James, Manerva Gilbert, Jessica James, Kaleena James, Mario James, Kyla James, Chanickqwa Griffin, Angelina Griffin, and Charles Griffin Jr.; two great- grandchildren D’Angelo Morgan and Landon Hamell; two brothers, Willie Brown, Jr., (Betty), and Albert Brown (Mitzi); two sisters Toni Brown and Delores Graves (Rev. Robert); sister-in-law; Susie Brown; longtime friends Jammie Johnson, Eugene McBride and Kevin Jones; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, church families and friends. Evangelist, Dr. Teresa McClendon: AKA: T-Baby; Mommy-T; Sweet-T; Mother Teresa; “The White Woman” is now resting peacefully in the arms of her Heavenly Father her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on May 30 at Mount Calvary COGIC 2422 Van Brunt Blvd. KCMO 64127. Visitation 9:00 A.M. Interment Twelve Gates Memorial Gardens Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Teresa Ann McClendon, please visit our floral store. Read More

Teresa Ann McClendon

June 27, 1960 - May 16, 2020