Gerald Eugene McClain

Gerald Eugene McClain

Gerald McClain, age 84, of Charleston, MO went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 7, 2025.

Born November 13th, 1941, in Dogwood MO, to the late J.C. McClain and Earline Delk McClain. He grew up in the Bridges Community of Mississippi County and was a 1959 graduate of Anniston High School in Anniston, MO. Following his high school graduation, he went to work at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis but returned home to Charleston where he was employed at Brown Shoe Company and at the Kerr-McGee Gas Station. In the early 1970's, Gerald and his brother Donnie, bought the Ferrell Brothers Market on West Market Street in Charleston where they operated as McClain Brother's Market a number of years. Dedicated to customer service and a strong commitment to the community, they continued to build the business and in 1984 bought the property on South Main Street in Charleston where they moved the store and renamed it McClain's Food Center. The legacy of customer service given by a family-owned grocery store continues today.

As a young man, Gerald received the Lord Jesus as his Savior and served Him as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First General Baptist of Charleston. By God's grace, Gerald lived out the example of faith in loving God, as a faithful loving husband, father, and grandfather, providing for his family, loving his neighbor as himself, and being fruitful, multiplying, and replenishing the earth.

On February 24, 1961, Gerald married the love of his life, Daisy Ella McCullough, who survives of the home in Charleston

Also surviving are his six children and their spouses: Janine and Jimmie Griffin, Ellen and Tony Gorostiza, Rhonda and Lee Welch, Gerald "Jerry" II and Sarah McClain, Terri Kay and Calvin Wilmurth, and Christy and Brent Horton; (16) grandchildren: Julie Ann and Darrell Stovall, Lee Michael Griggs, Stephen and Wende Gorostiza, Branston Branam, Cole and Chelsey Branam, Gerald "Jerry" McClain III, Karlye and Leo Margarito, Daisy Kay Wilmurth, Audrey Wilmurth, Maggie Horton, and River Horton; (16) great grandchildren: Dylan, Emma, Abigail, Carson, Brystol, Lee-Ellen and Jarod, Madison, Stevie Lee and Michael, Corwin, Quinn, Mia, Lincoln, Bella, Jett, and Ashlyn; (2) great great grandchildren: Michael Floyd and Baby Hobby; one brother, Carl and Linda McClain; two sisters, Wanda Stark and Margaret McKinney; two sisters in law, Paula McClain and Mae McClain; also, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Brandon Cole Griffin and twin granddaughters, Addison Kate and Emily Grace Locke. Also preceding him in death were his brothers, John Essary, Gary McClain, Donnie McClain and his sisters, Freda Woodruff and Rayola Groves.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 12:00 a.m. Monday, December 15, at Elm Street Baptist Church in Charleston. His son in-law, Pastor Brent Horton, of Old Bethel Baptist Church will officiate.

Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Stephen, Jerry, Branston, Cole, Lee Michael, and River.

Honorary pallbearers will be his great grandsons, Dylan, Corwin, Quinn, Carson, Jett, Lincoln and Michael Floyd.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com