Don McClain

SOUTH PITTSBURG Donald Clayton McClain, 76, died at his home on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012.Born in South Pittsburg, Don married his wife in 1956 at Holly Avenue United Methodist Church. Don retired from TVA, where he was a material tester, following employment at Blue Cross.A passionate fan of the South Pittsburg Pirates and the University of Tennessee Vols, Don played on the South Pittsburg High School football team for four seasons and had only one loss and one tie during his high school career. Following graduation, Don attended Draughon Business College in Nashville, where he worked also as a ballroom dance instructor.Joining the Army in 1962, his abilities earned him a spot as the shortstop on the Army baseball team which traveled in the U.S., while stationed in Eustis, Va. He was a member of American Legion Post 62.Don served for many years on the South Pittsburg Housing Authority where he served as chairman and was currently vice-chairman. Don was a supporter of the South Pittsburg Historical Societys renovation of the "Chapel on the Hill" where he attended church as a young boy. He was of the Baptist faith.Don was active in his retirement years, working at several part-time jobs and most recently at the County Convenience Center where he enjoyed seeing both old and new friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, William McClain and Ruth Layne; and brothers, Johnny Hall, Larry Hall and Ray Hall.He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bettye Wilkinson McClain; son, Bill McClain and granddaughter, Whitney McClain, all of South Pittsburg; brothers, Harry (Wanda) Hall, of Interlachen, Fla., Tom (Claudia) Owensby, of Chattanooga and Terry Don Allison, of Chattanooga; sister-in-law, Ann Owensby, of South Pittsburg and brother-in-law, Bill (Marilyn) Wilkinson, of South Bend, Ind.Funeral services will be conducted from the South Pittsburg Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home at 2 p.m. CDT today, Aug. 29, with Rev. Ronnie Case officiating.Burial will be in Cumberland View Cemetery in Kimball.Donations may be made in Dons memory to the South Pittsburg High School Football Team, 717 Elm Ave., South Pittsburg, TN 37380.Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.rogersfuneralhome.com.