Harrison Ross Mortuary

Message From Family

The family of Bernadine McClaine would like to thank you for the many acts of loving-kindness shown to us during our bereavement. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.

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Bernadine DeCatur was born on October 24, 1924, in Los Angeles, California. She was the second child born to Melvin Leonard DeCatur Sr. and Susie Marie DeCatur.

Bernadine grew up in Los Angeles CA where she attended McKinley Junior High School and Jefferson High School.

On January 3, 1953, Bernadine DeCatur married the love of her life James Henry McClain and celebrated 63 years of marriage before he was called home to be with the Lord.

Bernadine accepted Christ and became a member of the True Way Baptist Church. The Rev. Frank Higgins served as Pastor. During her Forty plus years of membership, she served as program chair for many church programs, attended Church School, Bible studies, served as treasurer for the Mission, sang in the choir, was a Deaconess and served on the Mother\'s board. She dearly loved her church home.

Bernadine returned to school to further her education, during which she received her high school diploma. After furthering her education, she became a Nurse\'s Aide and worked in nursing homes, and in-home health serves for a while. At the age of 77 years, she started Volunteer Service as a Foster Grandparent, a program sponsored by Pepperdine University, for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 15 years.

Bernadine, known as Deanie by those close to her, like her brother Melvin Jr., was strong-willed with a cheerful exciting personality. She walked fast and thought fast. She always filled her family and others with excitement of the fact that she was filled with a constant level of energy at her age.

On May 23, 2019, at 4:46 am she boarded her Heavenly Flight. Bernadine\'s Husband Deacon James McClain, her Father Melvin Leonard DeCatur Sr., Mother Susie Simmons, Brother Melvin Leonard DeCatur Jr., and Great-Niece Debra Ann Haywood all preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish all of her memories her loving niece Judith Marie Haywood-Johnson, great-nephews: Brian Lee Haywood Sr. (Christine Haywood), John Trevor Haywood of Compton, CA; great-nieces: Patrice Lenette Nunn (Rickie Nunn), and Elizabeth Haywood of Long Beach, CA; nine great-great nieces and nephews, nine great-great-great-nephews, and nieces. An extended family, spiritual daughter Janet Matthews, and goddaughters: Edwina Stephens (John L. Stephens Sr.), and Kyayna Rodriguez; great-nephews: Clifford John Haywood II (Jocelyn Haywood), and Darryl Eugene Haywood; great-niece Sebrina Tate, and a host of more special family and friends.