Deborah “Debbie” Anita McClain was born on June 5, 1953 in Jersey City, New Jersey and entered into eternal rest on March 31, 2020 at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, N.C.

Debbie attended New Jersey public schools and graduated from Linden High School in Linden, N.J. She was a member of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a member of the choir before illness rendered her unable. Debbie was last employed with Bo jangles Restaurant in Dallas N.C., where she showcased her skills as a cook. Never to have met a stranger, Debbie always had a warm smile and kind word for all that she encountered.

Debbie’s greatest loves were her children and grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than cooking for her family and telling you to come by to get a plate. Her specialties were baked ham and sweet potato pie of course. No one could or can touch her ham – “you tried it” would be the comment made to anyone who dared to match. Oh, and the sweet potato pies – she always made sure you had one and you shared it!

Never to have met a stranger, Debbie always had a warm smile and kind word for all that she encountered. Us daughters would get embarrassed at times – here she goes talking to that stranger again - but little did we realize, she was teaching us life skills –confidence, humility, grace, acceptance – skills that we still use today. She loved spending time with her family, whether it be hanging out with cousin Sandra, checking up on her sis-in-love Viola, or going to “do something for her honey”, she always loved and looked out for other. The fun Auntie, she had a young spirit and always had accepting words. Now, she’d tell you if you’d done wrong, but she always said it in a way that made you know you were loved.

You could find Debbie doing anything from knitting a baby blanket for little Zylah, to fishing, gardening, playing scratch offs and constantly trying to get that phone and tablet to work – I think we have all worked on them at some point! Debbie, Mommy, Aunt Shorty, Sweet Potato – she went by many names, but answered to them all.

Although her health wasn’t always the best, she was energized and rejoiced at the news of her first great grandchild, little Zylah, a bright light in the darkness. What that child taught Debbie, and can teach all of us, is that God is a miracle worker, a way maker, a healer and He will never forsake or make a mistake.

Debbie is survived by her loving daughters, Keya Parsons (Justin) of Gastonia, N.C., Charneice McClain of Brooklyn, N.Y., and baby girl LaShelle McClain of Dallas, N.C. Debbie also leave behind her devoted grandchildren, Keyon Smith, TaNaysia Hope, Raediance Blair, Jalen Parsons & great-granddaughter, Zylah Hope. Debbie will be especially missed by her siblings Gene Reid (Viola) of Gastonia, N.C., Lori Reid of Union, N.J., and Kevin Reid, of New Jersey, her special cousin, Sandra Crawford, her “honey” Cearcil Reid. Debbie was proceeded in death by her mother Margaret Reid, father Henry Hamm Sr., brother Henry Hamm Jr. and grandson, Raishon Peterman Jr. Debbie also leaves behind ex-husband Rufus McClain and a host of family and friends.

Deborah will lie in state at the funeral home on Tuesday; April 7, 2020 from 4 until 7:00 p.m.

The family will have a private service and interment.

Interment: Armstrong Cemetery