Dr. Benjamin Richard Mcclain

Benjamin Richard McClain Jr., 84, of Valdosta, GA, died on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born on May 20, 1931 in Highland Park, MI to the late Benjamin Richard Sr. and Julia (Hockett) McClain. He was the second oldest of five children, Elizabeth McClain, Vera McClain McGregor, Milton McClain and Robert McClain. After the death of his parents, Benjamin (1940) and Julia (1941), Benjamin and his siblings moved to Inkster, MI to be cared for by his aunt and uncle, the late Fannie Mary Roland (1964) and the late Charles Douglas Roland (1989).

Dr. McClain's early education was in the Detroit School System and later in the Inkster School System where he graduated with honors and went on to attend the University of Michigan. Dr. McClain displayed his natural giftedness in music at a very young age. Although he was able to hear a tune and duplicate it on the piano, he chose to pursue his passion for music through the educational process. He received his Bachelor of Music in 1959, Master of Music in 1967 and Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) in 1972.

His career began in the public school system as a teacher in Inkster in 1959 as a Junior High school teacher. He ended his public school career in Inkster from Robichaud High School where he was the first African American Principal from 1969 to 1972. He continued his career as a professor at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton Florida, University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL, Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and music teacher in Seattle, WA and completed his career at Valdosta State University until his retirement in 1998. Dr. McClain's love for music was one of his passions. He loved playing the piano and organ in church and at home.


He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Shirley A. McClain of Valdosta; his children, Dr. Terrance McClain (Linda) of Pontiac, MI, Sharalyn Donald (Alfred) of Stone Mountain, GA, Gerald McClain of Stone Mountain, GA, Marilyn Haymon (Willie) of Stone Mountain, GA, Attorney Keith Hall (Melanie) of Seattle, WA, Sheila Etheridge, (Robert) of Warner Robins, GA, Kenneth Hall (Cynthia) of Byron, GA; his sister, Vera McClain McGregor of Nashville, TN; his grandchildren, Kim, Teresa, Charity, Terrance Jr., Ryan, Chelsey, Rachel, Jonathan, Benjamin, Adjani, Jamal, Kamil, Jarod, Kayla, Ebony, Olivia, Hamin, Shanthi, Jonas; of these grandchildren, he is also survived by 17 great grandchildren, two brothers-in law, James E. Brown (Cornelia) of Birmingham, AL, Jerome Brown of Bainbridge, GA; one sister-in-law, Joe Ann Bowens of Detroit, MI; a loving and devoted mother-in-law, Anniel K. Brown of Bainbridge, GA, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and those who loved and respected him dearly. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth and his two brothers, Milton and Robert, and a loving and devoted father-in-law, Joseph Brown.

A memorial service for Dr. McClain will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2016 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. Apostle Dell Young will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 p.m. on Saturday until service time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southland Church 2206 E. Hill Avenue Valdosta GA 31601. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602