Ms. Jessie L. McClain

The Life and Loves of Jessie Lee McClain: Jessie Lee McClain was born Jessie Lee Davenport on December 15, 1934 in Pelham, GA to the late Henry and Mary Davenport. She was the sixth of eight siblings born to this union. As the youngest of the three girls, she was affectionately called “little sister” by her family and close friends. Jessie’s father passed away when she was just 5 years old, and she was eventually forced to quit school after eighth grade to help her family financially. As a teenager she left Pelham; following her older sisters to Detroit, MI. She soon met a handsome soldier by the name of Johnnie McClain. It didn’t take long for Johnnie to make the pretty young Jessie his bride, and to this union five children were born. Although the marriage was dissolved in 1978, Johnnie and Jessie remained friends, and she took care of him during his final days until he made his transition in 1995. Jessie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a child, and lived out her salvation in various ministries throughout her life. Her most recent membership was at New Providence Baptist Church in Detroit, where she served in the Mission ministry until her health prevented her from attending church regularly. Jessie and Johnnie raised their five children on Richton Street, where Jessie lived for almost 50 years. Jessie had a sweet tooth, and the McClain house was well known by the neighborhood children to be the place where you could always get a donut, cookie, ice cream, popsicle, or some other sweet treat. Jessie worked for General Motors for almost 25 years. She retired in 1998. She had an iron clad work ethic, and during the UAW’s “hey day”, she would often earn perfect attendance bonuses. She was a huge sports fan, and enjoyed watching her beloved Detroit Tigers and Pistons on TV while talking on the phone with her sister, who shared her love for the teams. She was very close to her family, and looked forward to either hosting or attending the bi-annual Davenport-Shepherd Family reunions for 40 years. Her children were the center of her life, and she selflessly sacrificed to provide for them when they were young, and encouraged and supported them in their adulthood. Though she did not finish high school, she stressed the importance of higher education. Jessie had a quiet strength about her, and carried herself with grace and class. “Sweet” was an adjective often used to describe her, and she was extremely generous to her family and friends. She always seemed to have “a little something” put away for a rainy day, or to bless someone in need. Jessie peacefully transitioned from this life on December 28, 2017.

Ms. Jessie L. McClain

December 6, 1934 - December 28, 2017