Rev. Robert McClain Obituary

Robert McClain, 81, passed peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, after a long fight with a prolonged illness. Robert was born to Nettie Mae Fuller and Robert Burns McClain on December 21, 1942. Robert grew up in Tennessee, helping his grandparents and uncles with farming and spending time with his siblings, all of whom have preceded him in death. At 18 years old Robert joined the Tennessee National Guard. Two years later, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Not long after he joined the Navy, he married the love of his life, Lorene Baxter McClain, on September 7, 1963, in Chicago. They soon had their only child, Charlene McClain Causby, on August 23, 1964. Once they got married and had Charlene, they travelled around the world and got to live in some amazing places. Robert was stationed on the USS Long Beach, where he served valiantly in the Vietnam War. He remained in the Navy for 20 years, finally retiring from service on the USS Arkansas in 1982 as a Senior Chief. Following this, he and Lorene bought a farm in Tennessee where they planned to grow old. Less than a year later, he was contacted by a fellow former service member who asked him to consider moving to Southport, North Carolina to work at CP&L. After much thought and discussion, they decided to move to Boiling Spring Lakes in 1984, where they have remained since, making wonderful memories and enjoying life. Robert had a successful career at CP&L for over ten years, while simultaneously owning R&R video with Lorene. Prior to retiring from CP&L, Robert felt called to preach. After his retirement from CP&L, Robert enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest where he studied to become a Baptist preacher. He was ordained in 1997, when he was then called to Prospect Baptist Church, where he was the preacher. After this, he was the Associate Preacher for the First Baptist Church of Boiling Spring Lakes and was instrumental in its rebuilding after a fire in 2003. Several years later, God called him back to Prospect Baptist Church where he remained as preacher until his health deteriorated in late 2022. Robert ministered to shut-ins, prisoners, congregations, friends and neighbors. He was the head of the Chaplaincy Program at Dosher Memorial Hospital until Covid shut things down. Robert performed many marriages, funerals and baptisms. He led a great number of people to the Lord, comforted those who were sick, and encouraged those who needed it. More than all of these things though, was the unequivocal love of his family. He always put family first, and he was always quick to say, "I love you." He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lorene and loving daughter Charlene. He leaves behind a son-in-law, Steve, an adoring granddaughter, Tabitha and husband Joe, a great grandson, his namesake, Robert Rory Mac, loving neighbors, Sue and Dave, along with nieces, nephews, cousins and deeply loved friends. The whole community is touched by this loss, but there is peace in knowing that he is in Heaven. He truly was a good and faithful servant, who is now reunited with his wife and daughter in their new home in Heaven. He is forever respected, loved and so deeply missed. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, November 23, 2024, in the Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Cape Fear Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.