Marilyn Caldwell Mcclain

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  -- “Our children are our future.”  -- “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you, if you are DETERMINED to learn, no one can stop you.

(Favorite quotes of our dedicated Educator, Wife, Mother, Sister & Friend)

Marilyn Joyce Caldwell McClain affectionately known as Ms. Merl, Memaw, Tweet, Angel, Ms. Teacher and Murlin, the second of Mattie and Melvin Caldwell’s eight children, was born on December 21,1947.

Marilyn was educated in Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools and graduated from Second Ward High School. She was a life-member and past President of the Second Ward High School National Alumni Foundation.  Second Ward cultivated Marilyn’s love-affair with education and served as the springboard for her career choice as an elementary school teacher.

Marilyn attended Livingstone College and was a proud member of the Class of 1970.  She was a true “Blue Bear”, and Livingstone College held a significant place in her heart.  In May 2021, Marilyn celebrated her 50-year college graduation and proudly walked across the stage to commemorate a walk she had made 50 years earlier. Marilyn also earned a Master of Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Marilyn was united in holy matrimony to Patrick Gordon McClain. Marilyn and Pat started dating when they were 16 years old and were married for more than 53 years. They were the proud parents of Raymond (JoJo) and Patrice.

Marilyn loved the Lord and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church at an early age. She continued her membership with faithful service until her death. As a member of her beloved Ebenezer, she served in the Sunday School and Flower Guild and as a Vacation Bible School teacher, Church Treasurer and Missionary Circle President.

Knowing that only what you do for Christ will last, Marilyn was a member of the Woman’s Baptist Home and Foreign Missionary Convention of North Carolina, a life-member of the Woman’s Auxiliary, Lott Carey Foreign Missionary Convention, and a member of Church Women United, where she served as treasurer. She was also a member of the United Missionary Baptist Association (UMBA) Woman’s Auxiliary. Marilyn also served as the President of the Mecklenburg County Missionary Union.

Marilyn proved that it is possible to always LOVE and SERVE others.

One of her first loves, and only place of employment, was Bain Elementary School.

She believed in EDUCATION and had a servant’s heart which contributed to her steadfast and ardent defense of human rights matters, especially as they related to children. She was always searching for ways to groom and pour into the lives of others and found great joy in seeing her “students” become capable and respected leaders in the community. Over the years, several family members will tell you that she always asked them about their grades and would call them if she did not see them, just to ask and offer her support. Marilyn retired from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system and after her retirement, she joined the North Carolina Retired School Personnel Association where she served as a past President.

Marilyn personified the adage: “If I can help somebody as I pass along the way, then my living is not in vain.” In recent years, Marilyn understood, first-hand, what it felt like to be limited in the ability to get out and about, but she did not let that inhibit her.  Instead, Marilyn started her own “ministry” of mailing “Thinking of You” cards to uplift the spirits of homebound friends and acquaintances. She did this monthly, at her own expense, and always with a smile.

Marilyn’s legacy includes a life filled with participation in service organizations, social groups, and volunteer activities. Over the years, she held membership and leadership positions in the following organizations:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Marilyn was a Golden Soror, and life-member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Marilyn served as President of the Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter at one point and for many years, she was the graduate advisor to the undergraduate chapter at Johnson C. Smith University. She unselfishly gave of her time and talents in numerous other ways. In particular, she loved sponsoring young ladies, including her own daughter, Patrice, in the “Little Miss AKA” Pageant.

Order of the Eastern Star

Marilyn’s masonic involvement was expansive. At the time of her death, she was a Past Grand Matron of Deborah Chapter and was recently elected Treasurer of that Chapter. She served as a past District Deputy Grand Matron, Conductress, Financial Secretary, and Recording Secretary in Deborah Chapter. She held membership in the Purple House, Rameses Court and was a Past Grand Deputy and Worthy Counsellor in the Order of Calanthe – Jurisdiction of North Carolina

Marilyn served as a dutiful member of NAACP- Life-Member, Black Women’s Caucus, National Congress of Parents and Teachers Association, National Council of Negro Women –Charlotte Section, and the Rainbow Savings Club and several Birthday Clubs.

Marilyn was a fashionista-extraordinaire, always wearing pearls, pretty nails on point, and she loved her Sunday hats and big flower corsages. Marilyn leaves an eternal legacy of love and service.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Mattie and Melvin Caldwell, brothers

Thomas, Melvin III and Willard.

Marilyn will be missed by many and forgotten by none. To continue her legacy and cherish the memories, she leaves her loving husband Patrick, devoted son Raymond (JoJo) McClain, caring daughter Patrice McClain, sisters Carolyn Gibson (Joseph deceased), Anita Mobley, Doris Reed (Stanley) and Kenna Richardson (Gregg), grandchildren Tony “Mitch” Wright, II, Julian Wright, Malik Brown, Haydiya Brown, Whitney Sanders, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloveds. She also leaves to cherish the memories, one Aunt Addie Porter, one sister-in-law, Glenda Caldwell (Thomas deceased), one brother-in-law Marshall (Kim), and special extended family members who were near and dear to her heart Raki and Kim McGregor.

Marilyn was blessed to have a special group of close friends who have been in her life for more than 40 years and they too will cherish the precious memories of days gone by: Joyce Woodard, Elease Portee, Deb Blakney, Anna Kate Davis, Eddyce Hobson, and Vickie Porter.

Her wings were ready, but our hearts were not.

A teacher affects eternity and can never tell where the influence stops.

-Henry Adams, historian