Rev Jim O. McClain, Sr.

Jim O. McClain, Sr., 82, of Cleveland, Tennessee, died on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at his residence.

McClain was an ordained bishop of the Church of God and had served in denominational leadership until his retirement in 1989.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Grady McClain and Nonnie McClain, and by his first wife, Marjorie Hesketh McClain.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; son Jim O. McClain, Jr. and his wife, Janet, of Alpharetta, Georgia; daughter Jane Knight and her husband, Dr. Dewayne Knight, of Cleveland; son Jerry McClain and his wife, Margo, of Madison, Georgia; eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Early in his ministry, McClain served as pastor of churches in Alligood, N.C., Riverside and Avondale Estates, Georgia, and Kannapolis, N.C. At the time of his pastorates, the Avondale Estates and Kannapolis congregations were among the largest in their states. As a pastor, he generously supported foreign missions and was known for supporting missionaries. This led to his subsequent service for 18 years in Church of God World Missions.

For eight years he was a missions representative, traveling from church to church to encourage support for missionaries and missions projects, visiting hundreds of congregations across the country. He then served for six years as field representative/assistant director, rising finally to be elected the general director of World Missions. Following his missions ministry, he was state administrative bishop in South Georgia, returning to the pastorate before his retirement.

His extensive travels and knowledge of the fields where the church was established, his acknowledged preaching ability and his genuine compassion made him ideal for the missions leadership. He was widely known and greatly respected for his generous heart, his enthusiastic leadership and his spiritual passion.

The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the North Cleveland Church of Gods Dixon Chapel, and the funeral will be held at 11 a.m., with Pastor Mitch Maloney, Dr. Bill George and Dr. Douglas LeRoy officiating.

Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Wade Bell and the Reverend Garland Griffis officiating. The grandchildren will serve as pallbearers and Church of God missions representatives will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Church of God World Missions, 2490 Keith Street NW, Cleveland, Tennessee 37311.

Grissom Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.