Jo Nell Mccain

Jo Nell Starnes McCain, age 81, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 14, 2015. She was born on May 23, 1934, in the Prospect Community of Union County, NC. Her parents were the late C. Foster Starnes and Ada Sims Starnes. Jo Nell married Robert Lee McCain on June 9, 1957. Robert is the son of the late Connie Lee McCain and Sadie Carter McCain. Jo Nell is survived by her loving husband of fifty-eight years; her daughter Beverly McCain Haney and husband Dean Haney; her son David Lee McCain and wife Pamela Winders McCain; her three granddaughters, Lauren Elizabeth Haney Castle and husband Levi Castle, Sarah McCain Shaw and husband Charles Shaw, and Meredith Brooke Haney and boyfriend Josh Ross. She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Robert McCain, a brother, Clarence Foster Starnes, and her parents. She had a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins and was like a mother and grandmother to many in the community through her affection and generosity. She is a 1952 graduate of Prospect High School in Union County. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Education and her Masters Degree in Reading and Elementary Education from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, in 1956 and 1976, respectively. In 1980, she received a Curriculum Specialist Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After teaching her first two years at Matthews Elementary and one year at Fort Bragg, Jo Nell served for thirty-three years in the Union Country Schools. She taught in elementary schools at Alton, Prospect, and Marshville. She served as a Special Reading Teacher for three years and as a Helping Teacher for five years. During the last fifteen years of her career, she served as Director of Elementary Education for Union County Public Schools. During her career, she was a member of nine professional organizations and held office in the International and Union County Reading Associations. She was also a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Retired Teachers Sorority and the Union County Farm Club. In 1983, Jo Nell was elected to Who’s Who in Women in Education and named Administrator of the Year for Union County Public Schools in 1991. Jo Nell was an active member of Walkersville Presbyterian Church of Waxhaw, NC. She served on the Christian Education and Congregational Care Ministry Groups, taught Sunday School, and directed the church Bible School programs. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and traveling with her husband after retirement. She especially loved preparing an abundant Sunday dinner for her family, allowing for weekly family fellowship around the table. She graciously hosted her extended family on holidays and special occasions. She took much pride and joy in her three granddaughters and cherished time spent with them. Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, October 17th, at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC 28112. A service to celebrate Jo Nell’s life will be held at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 18th, at Walkersville Presbyterian Church, 6204 Brady Road, Waxhaw, NC, with Rev. Steve Rembert and Rev. Bruce Powell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to family, friends, and caregivers from Home Instead and Hospice for all their love and support. Memorials may be made to Walkersville Church Nicaragua School and Feeding Program or the Robert McCain College Scholarship Fund in care of Walkersville Presbyterian Church, 6204 Brady Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173, or to Hospice Palliative Care Charlotte Region at 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the McCain family. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com.