Sandra McLain

Sandra received her formal education at Phillips High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was known for her determination and strong work ethic. She later moved on to lead a life filled with love, faith, and family. On March 23, 1957, Sandra was united in holy matrimony with Billy Ray McLain, and their union was blessed with three children.

Sandra was known for her love of cooking. Her homemade meals and desserts were a staple among friends and family. A request for a specific recipe usually ended in her sharing it with you over the phone or by receiving a handwritten copy of it in the mail. Her love for her friends and family was deeply felt in everything she made. Nobody made cornbread dressing or tomato gravy and homemade biscuits quite like she did! She was always on the go-taking trips to visit family in Tennessee and North Carolina and looked forward to her many annual girl’s trips with her “Lake Ladies” to the beach and Mentone, Alabama. These trips almost always required a good glass of wine (or two) and a game of Uno where you were lucky if you beat her! If you couldn’t find her cooking homemade meals or enjoying quality time with her loved ones, you most definitely would be able to find her at a casino playing slot machines. Her casino trips became something she looked forward to and she knew how to work a nickel machine like she was a pro. And during football season she was always decked out in her best Alabama Gear-Crimson Red shirts, houndstooth scarves or earrings with that iconic “A”. She never missed a game and spent those football Saturdays with her best friends on Lake Mitchell for watch parties. Sandra had such a love and joy for life-it was always evident no matter who she was around or what she was doing!

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Ray McLain; son, James Randall McLain; parents, Carl (Bud) and Hildron Kelton; brother, Ronald William Kelton.

She is survived by her children, Tommy (Leigh) McLain of Maggie Valley, NC, Lisa (Jeff) Lewallen of Hendersonville, TN; grandchildren, Brandi (Dale) Hammond, Greg (Melanie) McLain, Amie Lewallen (Christopher Rion), Josh (Martha) Lewallen, and Chris Lewallen; sisters, Anita (Jerry) Lawson of Pelham, AL, and Carla (Gary) Wright of Birmingham, AL; daughter-in-law, LuAnn McLain; great-grandchildren, Emma, Cole, Blakely, Presley, Deacon, Easton, Wylie, Haven, Parker, Avery, Coleman, Kelton, Caden; one great-great grandson, Kal.

Visitation will be held at Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Friday, February 7, at 12:00 pm with a memorial service at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Hanceville, AL.