LaNeta McLain (Plainview)

LaNeta Morris McLain obituary

LaNeta (Neta) Morris McLain stepped into heaven on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. While her passing was unexpected, Jesus was waiting, with great joy, for her arrival.

She was born on December 17, 1937, in a four-room shack on the Moffett Farm outside of Chillicothe, Texas. She was the fifth of eight children born to hardscrabble Depression-era farmers Harpie Eugene Morris and Oleta Bell Green Morris. She professed her faith in Jesus Christ at 12 and was baptized by Pastor Byers of First Baptist Church Chillicothe. She played basketball in high school, was a “backup cheerleader,” and designed many fashionable outfits during her FHA program. Her friendship circle was wide and she was purposeful in keeping up with classmates. She was a 1956 graduate of Chillicothe High School and married handsome Oklahoman EuGene E. McLain on April 19, 1957.

Business Life:

After a short time in Dalhart, the couple moved to Plainview in 1962 to join her brother Ronald in the cottonseed delinting business. Gene and Neta eventually owned Plainview Acid Delinting, where she was the Vice President of the business, until they retired and closed the operation in 2007. They continued to warehouse the seed for farmers for another decade. Actively involved in the day-to-day operations, she knew every cotton farmer on the South Plains, and where they farmed. During the busy season, when the plant ran 24/6 (never on Sunday), it was not unusual for the family to eat supper around the main desk in the office. Under Neta’s watchful eye, the kids served as the billing department, ensuring that she had the statements mailed on time each month. Both Neta and Gene had a reputation for being trustworthy, honest, hard-working, and fair business leaders.

At cottonseed conventions, Neta was always up for an adventure, and as the men met in business sessions, she conspired with other spouses in shopping expeditions or fun excursions.

With the delinting plant being on the outskirts of town, it was a popular spot to abandon a dog. Many of these pets made their way to the house, while others stayed in the country. Mom had a soft spot for all of them: siblings Booger and Sugar, siblings Duke and Duchess, Boo, Foxy, General, King, Smiley, Snickers, Tyson, and Yeller. Saturday, Cindy, and Milkshake make it to the house and lived the best dog’s life.

Ministry Life:
When they moved to Plainview, they joined College Heights Baptist Church and are currently the longest recorded members. She was a longtime second grade Sunday School teacher, influencing hundreds of students in their emerging faith. She served on many church committees and had a personal ministry with the Girls in Action and a GA Camp Counselor. Through the college ministry, she fed hundreds of Wayland students spaghetti dinners in their home on Sunday night. During the holiday, she opened the home to International students. Neta was the long-suffering wife of the church treasurer, who stayed after church to count the offering. The family arrived at the restaurant as most people were leaving.

Family joked that Gene and Neta had a waterski ministry. If you were in the youth program at College Heights or knew a McLain kid, at some point you were invited to go waterskiing. If you did not know how to ski, before the trip was over, you had skied around the lake. While Gene drove, Neta would get in the water and quietly coach the student with words of encouragement and confidence. The rule was: if you get up, then don’t stop skiing! Neta often bobbed alone in the lake until the rookie skier took a fall.

Volunteer Life:

Teachers were excited to have Neta as a classroom mother. She actually enjoyed school fundraisers and did any job the teacher needed. She was a leader in the PTA from Edgemere Elementary up to Plainview High. Not only did she make the expected cookies and cakes for the Halloween fundraiser, but she and Gene built the scariest haunted hall attraction that filled the school with screams of fun.

Family Life

Thanks to Neta, the McLains enjoyed epic vacations—Hawaii, Yellowstone, Smoky Mountains, and multiple trips to California and New Mexico. Vacations included BIG family reunions at a lake, where once again Neta proved her skill as an adept waverunner and skier. She could efficiently pack a camper and put out a spread for every meal. If, while travelling, Neta was within 60 miles of a third cousin, then there was a side trip to say “Hi.” She still holds the record for the largest catfish (17 lbs.) taken from her brother-in-laws’ lake in Oklahoma.

When the McLains lived on 19^th Street, there were more than 50 kids on the block! The giant weeping willow tree in the front yard was a favorite play space and kids loved coming to the McLain house because Neta was “a Cool Mom.” She also had the neighborhood kids trained that when she stepped on the porch and yelled the full name of one of her own kids, the neighborhood activated and the message was quickly delivered—usually for Jeff or Kevin—by a kid courier. A few years later, they moved into a bigger house a few blocks away on 16^th Street and that has been home for over 50 years.

When Gene and Neta had cattle, there was usually a calf that needed supplemental feeding, so she taught nieces, nephews, and neighbor kids how to mix and bottle-feed a calf. No one ever turned down an invitation to go see the calves. If the garden was in full bloom, she’d give you a basket to pick okra, beans, ears of corn, and, if you were lucky, take a watermelon or cantaloupe.

She made every effort to attend sporting and school events of her grandchildren, and most recently, her great grands. She loved telling everyone she could about their accomplishments.

She grew up in a large, close family, which set the foundation for her life and love of family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Bobby Frank (who she is meeting for the first time in heaven), Ronald, Dean, and Doyle. She is survived by her husband of 65 years Gene McLain; sons Jeffery, Kevin (Lana), and daughter LaGena (Paul) Horak; cherished sisters Etoy Chapman, Kitty (Richard) Umstot, and Cecelia Morris; granddaughters in whom she delighted Kaci, Kelli, Hannah, Mary, and Julia; great grands she adored Kelsea, Slade, Drue, Caden, Heath, and Jaxon. And many, many nieces and nephews who were precious to her.

The family is grateful for all the expressions of love. Hearing stories of Neta’s kindness and influence has been comforting and affirming.

If you join the family for visitation or the church service, there is no need for men to wear a tie, and everyone is encouraged to wear bright, colorful clothing, as Neta considered a funeral a time of joy for a Believer.

Visitation:

Friday, March 31

6-8 pm

Kornerstone Funeral Home

3605 SW 3^rd Street, Plainview, Texas

Church Service

Saturday, April 1

10 am

College Heights Baptist Church

802 Quincy Street, Plainview, Texas

Her church service will be live streamed through the College Heights Baptist Church Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/collegeheightsbcplvw

Graveside Service

3:30 pm

Chillicothe Cemetery

1988 FM 2006, Chillicothe, Texas

Memorial donations may be made to College Heights Baptist Church in Plainview, or the Gene and LaNeta McLain Scholarship at Wayland Baptist University, 1900 W. 7th Street, CMB 1295, Plainview, TX 79072, or make a secure donation online at give.wbu.edu. Look for the McLain scholarship in the dropdown menu.