VIRGINIA BEACH - Earl McClain passed away peacefully on January 28, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 9, 1916 to Lemuel and Sophie McClain.  Earl grew up in the Blackwater area of Virginia Beach and lived there his entire life. He helped to run the family farm and continued farming throughout his life. He loved nothing better than being outside and riding on a tractor in the fields. 

Earl began attending Blackwater Baptist Church when he was nine months old and became a member in 1927. He loved his church and church family so much.  For many years he served as a church deacon and was involved in numerous activities and functions at the church.  Earl was a member of the Creeds Ruritan Club for 46 years. The club honored him in 2010 with the Ruritan Forever Award for his many years of faithful service.  He was also a member of the Great Bridge Masonic Lodge #257 for 58 years.

Earl was predeceased by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.  He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Doris Frost McClain; his daughter, Phyllis Arth and her husband Don;  his son, Keith McClain;  grandsons, Clinton and Neil McClain;  step-grandson, Briton Arth, all of Virginia Beach and a granddaughter, Corinne McClain of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews that he loved very much and a host of very special friends who were like family.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of Third Floor East at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital for their wonderful care and kindness.  Also, a special thank you to David and Arlene of the hospital food service for their extra special care of the family.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 1 p.m. in Blackwater Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Hammer officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home, Chesapeake on Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Blackwater Creeds Foundation/Creeds Ruritan Club, P. O. Box 7015, Virginia Beach, VA. 23457 or Blackwater Baptist Church, 6000 Blackwater Road, Virginia Beach, VA. 23457.

Please memo all donations as "Earl McClain Memorial." Visit his "Book of Memories" at www.grahamfuneralhome.com to share a note with the family. 

Reprinted from, the Virginian-Pilot newspaper January 31, 2012

Earl McClain