Rose Maxine (Keener) McLean, age 86 of Palmer, Texas passed away July 8, 2021. She was born September 11, 1934 in Muncie, Indiana. At the age of 16 she ran away with her best friend’s birth certificate and joined the Women’s Army Corps, which took her numerous places as an advanced level typist, also working for a Jewish Newspaper in Washington DC. When the WAC discovered Inconsistencies about her age, it was contemplated to send her home, but a General where she was stationed spoke up for her, saying that she was the best typist he had ever seen and promoted her to his personal assistant. She later met the love of her life, J.R. McLean at Fort Sam in San Antonio, Texas in the early 1950’s; after they married, she was required to leave the service. When J.R. was deployed to Greenland, she moved with their son Steve to Dallas where she began working downtown for New York Life. In 1963 she and a coworker walked from their office to see the presidential parade downtown when JFK was assassinated. Upon J.R,.’s retirement from the military, they opened and ran a fashion retail store in Ferris, Texas: JR&R Outlet for 10 years. She loved and kept animals of all kinds especially her birds: cockateels, chickens, ducks, geese, peacocks and an especially ornery tom turkey. She was a bird and animal whisperer, one time calling a neighbors pet bird to her in the yard. She is lovingly remembered and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband J.R. McLean and six siblings.
She is survived by son Steve and wife Ruby McLean of Bristol, Texas; grandson Jonathan and wife Nicole McLean of Bristol, Texas and great-granddaughter Abbie McLean as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.
Graveside service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Bristol Cemetery in Bristol, Texas. Pastor Steve Hamm officiating.
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