Claudia McCollough

Claudia Jowitt McCollough, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., passed on Sunday, July 5, 2026. She was born in Macon, GA., on February 10, 1941. Claudia was a wonderful daughter to Claude Thomas McCollough and Mary Elizabeth (Watkins) McCollough.

Claudia was a graduate of Lakeland Senior High School (class of 1958) and Converse College (class of 1962). She married James Thomas Cleary Jr., on December 28, 1963.

While at Converse College, she studied abroad in Holland/Switzerland and lived with the Schreve family. This experience not only gained Claudia a lifelong European family, but also began her love of learning about the world. Learning led to teaching and although Claudia taught many grade levels, her most cherished time teaching was at Coastal Carolina University as a Professor of Philosophy, Business Ethics and Speech. She poured her love of learning into her students and always encouraged them to look beyond the classroom. Some of her greatest achievements included starting a Maymester course taking students to New York City for a full week of experiences, being honored with her nameplate on the famed Philosopher‘s Rock, named Professor Emeritus, chairperson for the Humanities Department and founder of The Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Value at Coastal Carolina. Upon retiring, she enjoyed spending time with family (especially her grandchildren), traveling with friends and family, walking the beach, volunteering in the community and teaching/attending Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

She is survived by her daughter’s Renken Cleary Carlin (Kevin), Rebecca Cleary Carlin (Scott), and son James Thaddeus Cleary. Grandchildren Ella, Noah, Cullen, Ryan, Finn, Duke and Macson. Her siblings William Andrew McCollough (Kimberly) and Claude Thomas McCullough Jr. (MaryLynn). Claudia was also blessed with many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Claudia (GaGa) kindly requests that memorial donations be made in honor of her grandson, Ryan Carlin, through SOS Care. When making your donation at SOSCareSC.org, please select "Village Vision" from the "Apply My Donation To" drop-down menu. Then, under "Honor or remember someone with your gift," choose "Honor" and enter Ryan Carlin as the honoree.

A service will be held at McMillan-Small Funeral Home and Crematory, 910 67th Ave N. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 3:00pm. With a Celebration of Life immediately following at Flamingo Grill, 7050 N Kings Hwy. Both located in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

**This service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person.  To watch the livestream, you may click the "McMillan-Small Funeral Home YouTube Channel" hyperlink included to be taken directly to the livestream.

If you are experiencing issues, you may also visit the home page of our website. In the upper-right corner, click the YouTube icon, which will take you directly to the McMillan-Small Funeral Home YouTube channel, where the service will be streamed live. From there, select the livestream for Claudia McCollough to watch the service.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Claudia McCollough, please visit our floral store.