Barbaranelle, Grandy, BeBe, and B’nelle to her many friends, family, and those who were lucky to have met her if even for a moment, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 4, 2025, at her home in Winter Park, Florida. She was born on Sept. 28, 1935, in Paducah, Kentucky, to the late India Lang Watkins and William Francis Paxton II.
She graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky. While at Kentucky, she served as president of Chi Omega Sorority and was a member of the Student Government Association, along with many other organizations. Her time at Kentucky was one of the most special times of her life.
After graduating, she moved back to Paducah. She was active at Grace Episcopal Church, a member of the Paducah Garden Club and the Four Seasons Garden Club, and was president of the Charity League. In 1980, she moved from her beloved Paducah and lifelong friends to start a life with her now late husband, Dr. Bill McClanahan, in Winter Park, Florida. She became an active member at All Saints’ Episcopal Church and joined the Rosalind Club. Winter Park became her home for the next 45 years, and she found immense joy with her friends, home, and garden. Barbaranelle and Bill looked forward to spending summers in Highlands, North Carolina, with their many dear friends and entertaining family who also loved being there with them.
Barbaranelle was a special kind of woman – truly one of the last of her kind. She was the type of southern woman that comes along so infrequently that you are in awe of the rarest of combinations. Her vivacious personality, love for life, charisma that brightened any gathering, and unwavering commitment to her family and friends, left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was beautiful in every way and pushed those around her to become the best versions of themselves.
She is survived by her children, Russell Shelton, Elizabeth Usher, Barbaranelle Rowe, Kevin McClanahan, Michael McClanahan, Patrick McClanahan, and the late Sean McClanahan, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. William Paxton III. She loved her family and was so proud of her seven children, 18 grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. Her service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida.
A special thank you to Clara Siverson and all her girls for their love and care.
Barbaranelle will be laid to rest with her mother and father at the Paxton family mausoleum at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Paducah, Kentucky, at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025. Memorials may be made to All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida or to Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah, Kentucky.