Vesta Madeline McClain

Vesta Madelene Hall McClain, of Little Rock, beloved momma and grandma, and great grandma, went to be with the Lord May 18, 2016. Born in Russellville on October 31, 1920, she was a member of America's Greatest Generation, her life shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. Although she was not a veteran, she served her country in its time of need by weighing gun powder for mortars at the Ford Bacon, and Davis Ordnance Plant in Jacksonville from 1942 to 1945. Saving her earnings, she entered Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) at the conclusion of World War II and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She then embarked on a 34 year teaching career: 12 years at schools in Scotland, Alread, and Shirley, Arkansas; and 22 years in Coolidge, Arizona. As a young adult, she loved to dance, usually with her brothers and cousins who took her along because she had a car. She loved teaching and being a mother and grandmother. She was a Baptist and was saved at the Scotland Baptist Church under the preaching of her grandfather A.S. Jones who helped found the church. She was preceded in death by parents, Horace and Goldie (Jones) Hall of Scotland; husband, L.T. McClain of Dardanelle; brother, Eiland (Sonny) Hall of Little Rock; and great-grandson, Canyon Drewry of Dardanelle. She is survived by daughters, Lura Kitchens of Danville and Cindy McClain of Little Rock; grandsons, Brent Drewry (Tracey) of Dardanelle and Bradley Drewry (Mikki) of Dardanelle; great-grandsons, Landon Drewry and Dallen Drewry; great-granddaughter, Denleigh Drewry; step-great-grandchildren, Kinsey Ennis and Avery Ennis; brother, Hoyt Hall (Marian) of Fort Myers, Florida, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation will be 12 noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Harris Funeral Home in Morrilton with services following at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jay Sorrows officiating. Burial will be at Foster Cemetery in Scotland, Arkansas. The family is grateful to caregivers Loretta Dodson, Ruth Gibson, and many others from Home Instead who lovingly took care of her these past few years, and to Hospice Home Care. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.