Musu Doris McClain

Musu Jenneh Doris Freeman McClain was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was full of life, loved to dance, and loved making people around her comfortable. Her sense of duty to her family was strong as she left this world suddenly in the early hours of April 30th, 2022 at age 76 at her home in Newark, Delaware, USA.
On November 12, 1945, a selfless angel was born in Harbel, Liberia to Monroe Kollie Freeman and Fatu (Manobah) Freeman. Her father, Monroe, was from the towns of Jenewonde, Wangekor, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia and her mother Fatu was from Lein Town, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia. Both her parent were humble people from humble beginnings, but they were determined to create a life for their children. At the time of her birth, Monroe worked at Firestone and they resided in Gate 1 compound for Firestone employees. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Legal studies from Lassalle Extension University School of Law. Her Mother, Fatu, was a homemaker.
As was the custom at the time, from the age of five years old, Musu lived in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. She was reared by Harriet (Crayton) Morgan and Mr. Edwin Morgan, then-senator of Grand Bassa County. She started her educational journey at eight years old at the St John's Parish Day School in Lower Buchanan, Grand Bassa County at the age of eight. She completed her primary education at St. Peter-Claver Catholic School in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. Musu spent two years at the Swhen Mission Academy before graduating from Peoples College High School in Monrovia, Liberia in 1969.
On August 31st, 1968 Musu married her childhood love and sweetheart Johnny A. McClain whom she had met years prior at eleven years old. From this union were born her seven children: Vahma "Matu", Gedehma "Gigi", Musulain, Johnnie-Mae, Kakwa, Togar, and Johnny "Choco". In 1980, almost 18 months after the birth of her first son Kakwa, and merely two weeks before giving birth to her second son, Togar, Liberia and her family were rocked by an unexpected violent coup d'état. Johnny A. McClain at the time held a cabinet-level position in the government of President Tolbert. She had an unwavering faith in God. She often said only by the grace of God was she able to persevere through the hard times while her husband was detained by coup leaders, with five young children under the age of ten and nine months pregnant with Togar. Fortunately, Johnny was spared the fate of most of his colleagues. He was released after spending 18 months in prison. During these 18 months, again she persevered with 6 young children and got a full-time job to provide for her children. Upon his release from jail, their young son Choco was born in 1982. Her husband, Johnny, subsequently got a full-time job within the UN system that required the family to leave Liberia in 1983. The family settled in Dakar, Senegal where she resumed her role as 100% devoted to her husband and raising her seven children.
In the year 1990, the family began to relocate to Newark, Delaware USA. Matu (Vahma) and Gigi (Gedehma) were sent ahead to live with Uncle Randolph and his late wife, Aunt Darling McClain in Newark, Delaware. At this time, Johnny was assigned to a new post in Yaounde, Cameroon, where he moved with her two older sons, Kakwa and Togar. Being the mother hen that she was, she could not tolerate being away from her children and the boys subsequently joined her in 1992. With all her children with her in Delaware, she thus began the process of building a new life of service and dedication to her children in a foreign land and making sure that they had what they needed to grow as positive, strong, educated, well-rounded men and women. Once the family was settled, she joined St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
In 1998, she welcomed the first of 16 grandchildren. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Musu. She loved quiet evenings with her children and grandchildren and a glass of wine in hand. Musu loved spending time in the kitchen creating delicious Liberian meals for family and whoever stopped by her home. All were welcomed as everyone always remained under her watchful eye. She witnessed her family grow in number with sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and friends. The gatherings around her kitchen table to eat her potato greens or palava sauce or any other delicious Liberian meals she had waiting on the stove became major events. Musu would rise to every occasion with love in her eyes as she looked upon her family with pride. In 2019, she welcomed her sixteenth grandchild. Musu was kind, and always had time to help, no matter how big or small.
However, God saw Musu had completed the work He put in front of her. He saw a job well done. He saw she was growing weary. So, He did what He knew best and gently closed those loving eyes and whispered, "Peace Be Thine." He came and stood beside her and said, "come and rest, Musu." Suddenly, abruptly, and unexpectedly Musu passed away peacefully in the early hours of April 30th, 2022 in her sleep. Finally, the weary hours and the sleepless nights are past. She was a one-of-a-kind mother, friend, sister, and grandmother. Her devotion to service for her family and all who met her was so strong, that she will be irreplaceable in our hearts.
Musu was predeceased by her mother, Fatu Manobah Freeman, and her father, Monroe Kollie Freeman.
Musu is survived by her husband, Johnny A. McClain Sr., children, Vahma Matu Tann (Marlon), Gedehma Gigi, Musulain Toomer (Mark), Johnnie-Mae, Kakwa Kody (Rene), Togar, Johnny (Fallon); grandchildren, Qiyam, Maya, Hannah, Jasmine, Jason, Aryanna, Gianna, Gabriella, Adam, Isaac, Gavin, Victoria, Genevieve, Christian, Maximilien, and Sebastian; siblings, Halunnah Navoe, Alfred Sando Freeman, Makai, Tenneh, Joanna Hawah, Linda, George and a host of relatives and friends in the USA and her beloved country Liberia.
We have truly lost a matriarch. All she wanted out of this life was to be of service to the people she was able to touch, her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. You accomplished the job. You were on the frontline. Well done mother, you have earned your glory. rest in everlasting peace.