On June 25, 1943, under the tranquil skies of Rockingham County in Reidsville NC, the spirited life of Robert Monroe McCain Sr. began. On March 31, 2022, after 78 years, Reverend Robert McCain’s earthly life came to a close at Beacon Place in Greensboro, NC following a lengthy illness. Fondly known as Bob, Bobby, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle Bob, Coach, Pastor and “Blessed and Highly Favored”, he was born to the late Lucy McCain Hart and William Gerringer. His mother later married the late Reverend George Hart, lovingly referred to as “Daddy George”, who was a great influence in Bob’s life for 50+ years. Bob received his early education in Rockingham County and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1961. He received a BS Degree from Winston-Salem State University (1965), received two Master of Science degrees from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University both in Educational Administration and Supervision (1993 & 1994). He was inducted into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Graduate Chapter in Lynchburg, VA (1967).
Bob was an educator for 37 years in various cities: Gretna, VA, Washington DC, Detroit, MI, Yanceyville, NC and Greensboro, NC - Guilford County Schools where he retired in 2002. While teaching, he also served as a football, basketball, and track coach. He was the director of the National Youth Sports Program at NC A&T (2003). He received numerous teaching and coaching awards and certificates including Employee Emeritus Certificate from Guilford County in 2002. He grew up in the First Christian Disciples of Christ Church in Rockingham County and continued serving at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church when he moved to Greensboro. He later transferred to St. Matthews UMC in support of his wife, where he served as a van driver, Superintendent of Sunday School, Director of Youth and Children’s ministry, Certified Lay Speaker, a member of the United Methodist Men and member of the Progressive Adult Choir. Bob received and accepted “the call” to ministry in 2006. He later received a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary (Salisbury NC) in 2008. Reverend McCain served in various churches in the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church which included St. Paul UMC (Kernersville, NC), Withers Chapel UMC (Belews Creek, NC), Empire Charge – Seagrove, NC (Pleasant Hill UMC, Pleasant Ridge UMC, Stout’s Chapel UMC) and McCrary Chapel UMC (Ramseur, NC), which was the last appointment before his retirement in 2015. On June 8, 2022, Bob and his lovely, dedicated wife, Cynthia Nash Spinks McCain, would have celebrated 42nd years of marriage. In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by two brothers, Otis T. Gerringer and Donald Lee Carry. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cynthia Nash Spinks McCain; three (3) sons: Robert M. McCain, Jr. (Kyra) of Gilbert, Arizona, Lonnie A. Spinks III (Inga) of Greensboro NC, Calvin F. McCain (Sharrie) of Gibsonville, NC; two (2) daughters: Tonya D. Green (Daryl) of Danville, VA and Felecia L. Titus (Bruce) of Concord, NC; 8 grandchildren (Erin, Jazmin, Darius, Kendra, Xavier, Chase, Londyn, Lauryn); 7 great grandchildren; one sister Martha Arrington of Bowie, MD; three brothers William Bratcher of Reidsville, NC, Danny Gerringer of Baltimore, MD and Tyrone Gerringer of Cantersville, MD and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob was a loyal friend and proved to be so by staying in close contact with childhood friends especially with his Booker T. Washington classmates of 1961. He never met a stranger; he would encourage others, provide shelter and food to those in need. Bob loved his family and did all he could to support them until his illness prevented it. Even during his declining health, he touched the lives of those attending to him. When they would ask “how are you Mr. McCain?” he would say "I am Blessed and Highly Favored".