Linda "Lin" McClain Davis

Lin was born in Springfield, Illinois to Eugene and Kittie McClain of Waverly, Illinois, joining an older sister, Connie.

In 1967, Lin graduated as Salutatorian from Wavery High School. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield, majoring in Child, Family, and Community Services. She graduated on the Dean's List with “High Honors."

Lin moved to Rancho Viejo, Tx in 1988, to continue her teaching career with Brownsville Independent School District at Longoria and Morningside elementary schools for 26 years, retiring in 2016. She had been awarded certification in teaching dyslexic students and in English as a second language.

It was in Brownsville that Lin met and married the love of her life, Robert Davis. The two shared a deep and abiding devotion, from marriage vows to bedside handholding during her last hours on Palm Sunday.

Lin was utterly fascinated with life on a small Illinois farm: feeding chickens, discovering new litters of kittens in the hayloft, running barefoot through the big yard, and playing spirited games with her sister Connie and brother, Bruce. Lin’s fondest childhood memories also included climbing her favorite shade tree to read books for hours on end.

Books, studying, and her ultimate passion, mentoring young, excited minds would become key to Lin's life. While teaching or later in retirement, it was not unusual for Lin and her husband Robert to be walking through a mall and see a former student or parent approach calling out, “Ms. McClain” or “Ms. Davis” and thanking her for their educational experience. Some of those students are now teachers themselves.

Lin had a gift for arts and crafts, making her own colorful and ornamented greeting cards, picture albums, and collages as well as being a gemstone aficionado. She took great pride in tending her garden, decorating the Texas house for each season, each holiday, and special occasions. She was also proud of being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a 7th generation McClain.

Lin is preceded in death by her father and mother, Eugene Hugh McClain and Kittie Lou McClain Brown, her step-father Orland Brown, and Lin's beloved only child and daughter Heather.

She is survived by her husband Robert, sister Connie McClain Gresham, brother Bruce Brown, stepson John Jennings, grandsons Blake McClain Emig and Rayne Ballstaedt, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, 1225 Boca Chica Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78520. Memorial also accessible livestream on YouTube (Search: FUMC Brownsville) The family requests that In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Lin’s name be made to the church or online at: eservicepayments.com/33769.htm. (click on "Specials-Other).