Our little angel, Jerrie Claire, was given her wings on May 15, 2026, at age 7. Born in Paducah, KY, she was destined to do great things and touch lives.

Jerrie Claire was affectionately known as “Maqual” or “Lil JC” by those who love and miss her so much. Dancing and playing with her sisters and her dog “Duke” were her favorite things to do. Picking flowers, loving on animals, and making someone smile was how she spent her days. Her beautiful blue eyes were full of curiosity and mischief. Jerrie Claire’s favorite food was mac and cheese with hot dogs, beef lo mein, cheese pizza, oreos, and her nightly strawberry milk.

Jerrie Claire’s huge personality could be seen through her own sense of fashion, costumes, bell-bottoms, and muddy boots. She loved her pink lip gloss and painted nails.

The moment your heart stopped, ours changed forever. You will always be our guiding light. We love and miss you so very much. We will always hear your laughter echo in an empty room. We know the rain doesn’t come to drown every seed, but sometimes it comes to grow them. Running in Heaven has left footprints on our souls.

The family asks that in her remembrance, always smile when you enter a room and have everyone else smiling when you leave. Please join our family in celebrating our angel’s bright and beautiful life on May 31st at 2:00 PM at Alexander Public School. We humbly ask that in honor of Jerrie Claire, you wear bright colors to represent the bright she brought into all of our lives.

We love you, Jerrie Claire, until we are all together again.

Jerrie leaves to mourn her mother, Jerika McNeely; devoted dad, Giles Bounds; three sisters, Jastin, Jordyn, and Jadyn Bounds; one brother, Ethan Bounds; grandparents, Lisa “MeeMee” and Charles Qualls; Nikki, Jacob, Ian, and Meriah Guess; Lindsey, Chris, Caleb, and Kaylor May; Quinten “Q” McNeely and Natalia Garcia Vitta; Kyler “Cham” and Della Brunson; biological father, Joseph Young; and many friends, family, and community.

Jerrie is with her papaw, hand in hand, whom she is named after, Jerry “Head” McNeely. Not only did they share their name, but their keen sense of humor and ability to light up a room. We know they are side by side with Jesus.