Mae Julia McClain

Mae Julia McClain, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Mansfield, Texas. Mae was born on April 6, 1933, in Terry, Mississippi, to Will Anderson and Mary Anderson (Gatlin). She was raised in Terry, where she graduated from the Utica Institute in 1953.

In 1954, Mae married Lasco McClain, and together they were blessed with one child. A devoted caregiver by profession, Mae worked as a Nurse's Aide at Holly Patterson Nursing Home for over 27 years and at Franklin General Hospital for 19 years.

Mae had a lifelong love of music and ministry. She was a talented pianist and vocalist who dedicated much of her life to church service. She was a founding member of the gospel group The Four Stars, which traveled and sang in churches along the East Coast from 1969 to the mid-1970s. Mae and Rev. James T. Barber were the last surviving members of the group.

She faithfully served as a church musician at many congregations in New York, including:

St. Paul AME, Great Neck, NY

First Baptist Church, Great Neck, NY

Second Baptist Church, Rockville Centre, NY

Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church, Long Beach, NY

Calvary Baptist Church, Roosevelt, NY

FreeWill Baptist Church, Freeport, NY

Advanced Baptist Church, Jamaica, NY

While Mae played for many congregations, she was a dedicated member of Calvary Baptist Church in Roosevelt, NY, where she served as church nurse, pastor’s aide, gospel chorus musician, and founder of the youth choir JL Keel Specials. In the 1980s, she joined FreeWill Baptist Church, serving on the pastor’s aide committee and founding the R. A. Ensemble. Her ministry was rooted in love, and she touched many lives by sharing Christ through music.

Mae will always be remembered as a devoted church musician, a dedicated employee, a loyal friend, and—above all—a loving mother and grandmother who cherished her family deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Mary Anderson; her siblings, Elnora Anderson, Leroy Anderson, and Annie Laurie Anderson Kelly (Herman); and her beloved husband, Lasco McClain.

Mae leaves to cherish her memory:

Her devoted daughter, Cherylene McClain Tucker (Louis)

Her beloved granddaughter, Nycole Cherylene Tucker

A host of dear friends, including Rev. James T. Barber and Mrs. Robbie Barber, Mrs. Betty DuBois, and Mrs. Sarah Gilchrist

Cousins who were very special to her: Zyndall Jones (John), Charlesetta Taylor (Taylor), Maudine Eckford (Larry), and Joseph Gatlin (Minetta)

As well as a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family

Mae Julia McClain lived a life of faith, service, and song. Her legacy will continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Live Streaming link for service:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://youtube.com/live/Sroxbdun5Bg?feature=share__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!NMD8KQDabFQVpxeiusnpVR1-UJcR1AQZvusVvcyd7ASoJOCRBgtAuyx-xYAUF4UQKCJyw_eCrmuiGRFhNbU$