Barbara Jean McClain

Barbara McClain, wife of the late Col. Wallis E. McClain Sr., was born on Sept. 7, 1922, in Paducah, Ky., and died on Aug. 16, 2023, in Ft. Belvoir, Va. She grew up in Paducah, where she attended Tilghman High School and Paducah Junior College. She and Col. McClain were married in 1942. As an Army wife, she lived in several states and two foreign countries. She and Col. McClain moved to Fairfax, Va., in 1967. After raising her family of three sons, Mrs. McClain worked in retail at Hecht’s Department Store and then as an assistant manager with Minnesota Fabrics. Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, and needlepoint.

She is survived by her three sons, Wallis Jr., David, and Donald and his wife Deb, and by grandsons William, Michael, and James; granddaughter Lauren; and great grandchildren William and James. She is also survived by her nieces Judith Lynette Binkley and Terris McClain, and nephews Barry, Tommie, and Rollie Brown.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield, Va. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 19 at the Old Post Chapel, Ft. Myer, Va., followed by burial in Arlington National Cemetery.