Dennis Mcclain

Dennis McClain, the youngest of four children, was blessed to join the Albert McClain and Mary Kernaghan-McClain Family on October 31, 1936 in Altheimer, Arkansas. While an infant, he and the family moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he grew and received his early education in the public schools. Quietly, on Wednesday afternoon, April 11, 2012, he resumed residence with The Creator.

At around 12 years of age, Dennis accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at the New Town Baptist Church. As a Christian, he lived by a high standard of faith with courage and determination. He was not ashamed to insist that others, especially young men and women, would immolate the determination to be strong in values, inspired by achievement and responsive to responsibility. Throughout his life, his work was directed at "spreading the Gospel". He was not selfish with his spiritual experience as he served many churches in the Washington, D.C. and Maryland area as a trustee and ordained deacon. He taught the adult Bible class and the Youth Sunday school, mentoring them in their spiritual path using the Book of Proverbs. A reflection of his love to inspire youth was seen in "Lil Ro's" (deceased nephew) admiration of him.

Following graduation from Merrill High School of Pine Bluff, May 1956, Dennis went on to the Arkansas A.M. & N. College (now known as Arkansas State University at Pine Bluff) earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. Immediately after college, some very close male mentors who felt the struggles of education had caused him to neglect his health, urged him to join the US Army. It was thought that, due to his desires to be motivated and focused on the road to success, the Army would provide a reliable venue. Completing basic training, he was assigned to the Valley Forge Army Medical Center located in Phoenixville, PA where he served the Medical Corps as a lab technician.

Following his military duty, he worked as a biologist in the hematology lab at the Philadelphia Mental Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. In 1965 he moved to Washington, D.C. in response to a job offer with the USDA as a microbiologist. Soon after accepting this position, he enrolled at Howard University (Washington, D.C.) earning a Master of Science degree in microbiology in 1971. He worked in this position until he retired in 1996. While at USDA he was motivated to inspire high school and college students to pursue a career in the field of science. He earned several awards for these efforts.

While still in the military, Dennis met his closest friend, the love of his life, Johnnie Mae Fortune, whom he followed to Washington, D.C where he united with her in marriage November 1972. From this loving union, their only child, Hamilton Neel, was born November 1974. Dennis began to develop a strong bonded relationship when his son became 4 months old. This bond grew so powerful that Neel came to regard his father as his "hero". This is a title that still lives within Neel's heart.

Those continuing to remember the beautiful legacy Dennis left are: devoted wife, Johnnie; son, Neel; sister, Queen Ester McClain-McGary of Las Cruces, New Mexico; a "sister-like" cousin, Erma Lark of Pine Bluff; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Ruth Fortune Greenfield (Walter), Mable Ann, Charlotte, Hamilton Fortune, Jr. (Pearl), Amos Fortune (Annette), and Herndon Fortune; nieces, Brenda Almon (Darrel), Angela McGary, Delores Johnson, Yowanda Williams (Gene), Angela, Marissa, Consevella and Autumn Faith Fortune; nephews, Larry James (Jeanette), Amos, Jr. and Garrett, Jr. Fortune and numerous cousins and close friends.


Funeral Home:
Cedell Brooks Funeral Home
25662 A.P. Hill Blvd
Port Royal, VA
US 22535