Elsie McClain

MCCLAIN ELSIE LORANE TALLEY MCCLAIN (10-6-27) passed away Sunday night February 26, 2012 in Orange Park, Florida. She was born near TWO-EGG, Florida as the third child of Hattie Mae Benton and William Russell Talley, Sr. At the beginning of World War II, Russell moved his family to Bascom, Florida and settled adjacent to land that was part of the old homestead of Great Grandfather William Rubel Talley, circuit rider Methodist minister. During the war years, Elsie and her sister, Bonnie, assisted neighboring farmers with planting and harvesting corn and peanuts, because most of the men were away serving their country. In 1946, Elsie married Grover L. McClain (now deceased). They moved to Jacksonville in 1947 and Elsie was a homemaker and mother of two children, Elizabeth and Wayne. In the early 1960s she began working as secretary and bookkeeper for a group of companies which later became Patterson Enterprises. Elsie started moving up the corporate ladder and 1983 brought many changes. She started classes at The University of Oklahoma. Three years later, Elsie became the first woman, worldwide, to be a certified public refrigerated warehouseman. Elsie was elected a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Public Warehouses. The Washington, D. C. based association included refrigerated warehouses in 37 countries. Elsie had the opportunity to become a World traveler. Her final position was President and General Manager of five warehouses in the state of Florida. In 1989, she changed careers and became a Real Estate Broker. Elsie sold only New homes for the top builders in Clay and Duval counties. She achieved and earned many regional and local sales awards. Elsies daughter, Elizabeth, attended FSU and graduated from JU. She a received her Masters at UNF and taught in public school systems for over 35 years. Elsies son, Wayne, is also a Seminole and received his Masters from UNF. Wayne and his wife, Julie, live in Palatka. Julie has two sons J. T. and Dalton Herbin. Wayne is a prominent businessman and a community leader. His two daughters, Rebecca McClain Hester (Jamie) and Kristen McClain Redd (Adam) are both graduates of FSU and are cancer survivors. Rebecca and Kristen are very successful business women in Atlanta. Elsies grandson Charles (Charlie) William Russell Jenkins and his wife Jen graduated with Masters degrees from the University of Florida. They teach at Littlewood Elementary School in Gainesville and are excellent role models for all students. Their first child, a daughter, is expected in June, 2012. Elsie has been very active in her community: Member and ruling elder of Murray Hill Presbyterian Church, Board of Directors of Florida Christian Homes, Board of Directors of USO, President of Seabreeze Singles Square Dance Club, Secretary of Jacksonville Equal Opportunity Council, Hospice Staff of Methodist Hospital (first Hospice in this area), Board of Directors of American Cancer Society, SAC Committee Thunderbolt & Tynes Elementary Schools, Volunteer of the Year for Clay County District Schools, Whos Who in American Business Women (1980-1987), First Place Winner Jacksonville Journal Cooking Contests (6 years), Florida Times-Union EVE Award for Employment, Member of Sunrise Rotary Club of Orange Park (two Paul Harris Fellowships). In 2005 Elsie, with her daughter Elizabeth, as her caregiver, moved to Penney Retirement Community. In 2007, she was elected to the City Council and in 2008 she was elected Vice-Mayor of Penney Farms. In this community she also leaves to mourn a dear nearly daughter, Elaine Bryant Brown, who has been her devoted sitter and caring friend during this past difficult year of infirmity. Other children of Hattie Mae and Russell Talley are Elizabeth (deceased), William Bill Russell Talley, Jr. (Mary), Bonnie Viola Talley Dunaway (Leon deceased), Sarah Ruth Talley Hughes (John), George Chalmas Talley (Judy). There will be a graveside service at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 3, 2012, with the Rev. Clyde Wray officiating and Jess McCrosky (Hospice Chaplain) assisting. It will be held at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery, 111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Florida 32073. The family requests memorials, in Elsies name, to be made to Community Hospice of North East Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com