Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Corporal John McCulley, who was supervisor of court deputies, died Friday after a courageous battle with cancer, Sheriff Paul White said Monday. McCulley was 51.
McCulley began his law enforcement career with the Sheriff’s Department in April 1991. He served first as a corrections deputy and worked in court security the last several years, White said. He was promoted to corporal in November 2011 and was supervisor of the court deputies.
“John was a big man with a big smile and a big heart,” White said. “He always had a smile for everyone.”
Known as “Joe” to his family and “Big John” to his law enforcement friends, John is preceded in death by his father, Johnny McCulley; his late wife, Mary McCulley; and brother, Lynn McCulley.
John is survived by his mother, Joyce McCulley of Clinton; son, Joseph McCulley and wife, Rebecca of Clinton; sister, Angel West and husband, Brian of Clinton; granddaughter, Emberlyn McCulley of Clinton; niece, Heather McCulley of Powell; nephew, Joshua McCulley of Lafollette; girlfriend, Karla Steadman and her son, Blake of Clinton; and a host of other relatives and friends.
John’s family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, in the chapel of Jones Mortuary at 375 North Main Street in Clinton. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m. with full honors provided by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies. There will be no graveside service.
“John will be sadly missed by his law enforcement brothers and sisters,” White said. “Please keep the family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
“John was a loving father, and did a great job raising his son, Joseph by himself,” his obituary said. “John enjoyed spending time with him and playing video games together. John wanted the best for his son, so he introduced his best friends to him. John served 24 years with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and was a corporal.”
