Rutha Mae McClain

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.

I have kept the faith: II Timothy 4:7 KJV

Rutha Mae Lucky McClain was born on April 12, 1940, in

Lamar, South Carolina, a daughter of the late Mary Luckey

Goodson and Ellis Scott Frierson. She was educated in the public

schools of Darlington County and attended Spaulding High

School. She was married to the late Clyde McClain.

Rutha Mae started out as a sharecropper in Lamar during

her teen years learning everything from picking cotton to crop-

ping tobacco. Later, she obtained a job as a handkerchief finisher.

After moving to Hartsville, she found her passion for cooking and

working in the food service industry. She worked at Hermie's

Restaurant where she enjoyed cooking Lotto Burgers, hot dogs,

and other customer favorites. Rutha Mae moved on to become a

pastry chef for Sodexho Food Services working in the cafeteria at

Sonoco Products Company. She was a baker there for more than

22 years until she retired in 2003.

Rutha Mae affiliated herself with Mt. Calvary AME

Church where she served as an usher and assisted in the fellow-

ship hall kitchen. She served the church faithfully until her health

began to fail. However, she would always send her support when

it became too difficult for her to attend.

Surviving to cherish her love and her memories include

her son, SFC (Retired) Jimmie Lee Lucky, and a host of cousins,

other relatives and extended family and friends.