CHARLES MCCAIN

Charles Eddie McCain Jr.

Command Sergeant Major Retired

Charles Eddie McCain Jr., was born on Nov. 11, 1937, to the union of Charles Eddie McCain and Bertha Lewis McCain in Amherst. He was the third of six children born to this union. Charles joined Scott Zion Baptist Church at an early age.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Eddie McCain Sr. and Bertha Lewis McCain Smith; one brother, Charles Edward McCain; two sisters, Oneida McCain Booth and Bertha Loretta McCain.

He leaves to mourn, his wife of 46 years, Loretta; brothers, Dabney McCain Sr. (Estelle) and Danny McCain (Carolyn) both of Lynchburg; sisters, LaJoyce McCain Dixon (Ralph) of Evanston, IL, Joyce McCain Lightner (Gaylon) and Bernice McCain Clay, both of LaGrange, IL; one sister-in-law, Ernestine McCain of Batesville, MS; two brother-in-laws; Alonzo Brown (Francislia) of Bakersfield, CA and Robert Brown of Maywood, IL; a special friend, Dave Merritt of Bolingbrook, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Charles moved to LaGrange, IL after graduating from Dunbar High School in 1956 where he worked in the Construction Industry until being drafted into the U.S. Army. After marrying Loretta Brown of Maywood, IL he decided to make a career in the military and retired with the rank of Command Sergeant Major after 24 years. He made his home in Petersburg, where he served as Director of Food Service at McGuire Hospital. After retiring from McGuire Hospital he made his home in Bolingbrook, IL and united with Canaan A.M.E. Church in Maywood, IL.

Charles continued his education with a B.A. Degree in Economics/Business Administration, Chapman College, 1976; Sergeant Major Academy, 1981 and a Masters in Business Administration, Lewis University, 2001.

During his military service, Charles held many positions and received many awards including:

Command Sergeant Major (3 years), Senior Administrative NCO (9 years), Food Service Supervisor (23 years), National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal 30LC, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal IOLC, The Legion of Merit and The Army Achievement Medal.

Special recognitions, awards and honors: Outstanding manager

supervisor - Veteran Affairs Medical Center, 1992, Special Contribution Award - Department of Veteran Affairs, 1995, Medger Evers Award - LaGrange Area NAACP, 2005. Charles also served as President of the LaGrange Area NAACP from 2001-2004 and 2008-2009. He was a Trustee at the Canaan A.M.E. Church from 2006-2007.

A celebration of his life was held on Nov. 9, 2010, at the Canaan A.M.E. Church in Maywood, IL.

Courtesy of Community Funeral Home.