Tommy Joe McClain, 83, of Jenny Lind, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026 in a Fort Smith hospital. He was born January 24, 1943 to Arthur Joe and Bertha Mae (Gattis) McClain in Jenny Lind. He attended school in Jenny Lind and in Greenwood and was a member of the Greenwood Class of 1961.
Tommy worked at Riverside Furniture for 43 years and worked finishing woodwork for Lee Jackson Construction. He was a member of Jenny Lind First Baptist Church.
Tommy married Deborah Eatmon Vaughn and they shared 47 years together. They shared life with six sons and one daughter. Tommy is survived by his wife, Debby; one daughter, Wanda McClain; three sons, Johnny McClain, Travis Vaughn (Machelle) and Derek Joe McClain (Ashli); two daughters-in-law, Suzi McClain and Amber Vaughn; one sister-in-law, Jeannette McClain; his lifelong friend Eddie Griffin; twenty eight grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sons, Thomas McClain, Gerry Don Vaughn and Erick Joe McClain; one grandson, Johnny McClain, Jr.; three brothers, Billy Eugene McClain, Jerry Don McClain and Danny Earl McClain.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 3 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Steep Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be Monday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Gene Herdison, Cotton Delp, Jesse Russell, Joseph Johnson, Steve Long and Bob Bell. Honorary pallbearers will be the Greenwood Class of 1961.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
