Hildred McLain

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Hildred Anne McLain on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the age of 79. Hildred was born in Hickory, North Carolina to John and Annie (née Perkins) Wilkerson.

First and foremost, Hildred cared deeply for her family and friends. She could be counted on for her love and support whenever and wherever it was needed. This trait began early in her life growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina as the loving older sister to three younger sisters: Yvonne, Lenore, and Betsy. 

After a one year stint at Appalachian State University, Hildred moved to Portsmouth, VA to be near her mother. This is where she met the love of her life, Carl McLain. Carl and Hildred were married in 1967, which began their 57 year journey of unwavering love and companionship.

While in Portsmouth, Hildred worked first as a bookkeeper for Mervis Uniform, and later as a bookkeeper for the Portsmouth YMCA. In addition to her career pursuits, Hildred had a devout sense of civic duty and volunteered for many organizations, including the Women of the Church at Simonsdale Presbyterian Church, PARC Place of Portsmouth, and the Salvation Army. Hildred also served as PTA President at Churchland High School, and she could also be found speaking at city council meetings to lend support and advocate for local community issues.

But it isn’t career pursuits that define Hildred. Her life changed forever when her son, Michael, was born in January of 1976. Being a mother was her true calling. She put her career on hold and became a full-time homemaker and mom and never looked back. Patient and compassionate, yet with a disciplined approach to parenting, Hildred provided an environment for her son to grow and thrive and know he was always loved.

Hildred enjoyed many activities that usually involved her family or friends. In Portsmouth, she enjoyed playing bridge weekly. She also loved the beach and coveted the many weekends she and Carl spent there with a group of friends coined the “Beach Crew.” Hildred was a great cook and hostess; she loved to entertain her neighborhood friends. If not with family or friends, she loved being outside gardening or riding her bike. Hildred was also an avid reader.

Following Carl’s retirement in 2014, the difficult decision was made to leave Portsmouth for Wichita, Kansas to be near their son, daughter-in-law, and beloved grandchildren. Although she deeply missed her friends in Virginia, Hildred cherished spending holidays and special occasions with her family. She loved her grandchildren Sydney and Zach fiercely and enjoyed watching them grow older. This was also the time when Carl and Hildred grew even closer together, not just as spouses, but as best friends. 

Lastly, Hildred enjoyed annual family vacations to Nags Head, North Carolina. Her favorite part of those vacations were the breathtaking sunsets overlooking the Roanoke Sound. 

Although the sun has set on Hildred’s life on earth, she will never be forgotten by her family and many friends. She is now in a better place, free from pain, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Memorial service celebrating her life will be at 2:00pm, Friday, November 22, 2024 at the Cozine Life Events Center. Hildred is preceded in death by her parents, John Wilkerson and Annie Walker. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Carl McLain; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Alicia McLain; sisters, Yvonne (C.E.) Corbett, Betsy (Bobby) Hegele, and Lenore Wilkerson; and grandchildren, Sydney and Zach McLain. Services by Cozine Memorial Group - Cozine Life Events Center.