Kathryn (Kat) McEachern McInnis McLean was born on November 8, 1924 in Carolina Community in Dillon County, South Carolina to her parents, Duncan and Kate McInnis. She died peacefully at her home on Monday, September 27, 2010 in Ocala, Florida. The youngest of five children, she was raised by her mother and father on her father’s farm near Little Rock, South Carolina. She graduated from Dillon High School, in Dillon, South Carolina in 1942. Kathryn left home and attended Flora McDonald College in Red Springs, North Carolina, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946. She then taught elementary school for two years in McColl, South Carolina and Fayetteville, North Carolina. In the summer of 1948, Kathryn and Bill McLean were married in the Carolina Presbyterian Church at Carolina Community. She and Bill moved to Maxton, North Carolina where they lived in the old air base apartment housing, and where their first son, Billy McLean, was born in 1949. Bill was recalled into the navy in 1951 and the young family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where they lived at Pearl Harbor Naval Base married officers’ quarters. They returned to the states in December 1952 and moved back to Maxton. In 1954, their second son, Johnny, was born. In 1956, Bill moved his family to Ocala, Florida, where Kathryn remained until her death.
Kathryn began her career as a public school teacher in 1957 at Central Elementary School in Ocala. She taught elementary school continuously for 27 years until 1984, when she retired. She is remembered warmly by her students and fellow teachers.
After Kathryn retired, she and Bill had a long and happy retirement. She doted on her grandchildren, who loved her dearly and will always remember her with deep love. She was a wonderful southern cook, who insisted on cooking for her children daily until she died. She was loved by all. Her family will miss her forever. She was a faithful member of Fort King Presbyterian Church when she died. She was previously a member of Carolina Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Ocala.
She is survived by her two sons, Billy and his wife Martie, and Johnny and his wife Kerri; three grandchildren, Will McLean, Ollie McLean and Dillon McLean; thirteen nieces and nephews, Sue Ann Clarke, Jaynette Whitt, Henry Chirdon, Jimmy McLean, Susan Carpenter, Mary Lou Beeker, Nancy McBride, Jay Poole, Jeff Poole, Jerry Poole, Joey Poole, Jim Poole and Jack McInnis; and her caregivers, Pat Bartow, Renee Deifendeifer, Michele Turner and Peggy. She was predeceased by her parents; her siblings, Radie McInnis, Case McInnis, John D. McInnis, and Ob McInnis; two nephews, Wilber McRae and Clayton (Buddy) Chirdon, and a niece, Peggy Martin.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 3:00 PM at Fort King Presbyterian Church. Mrs. McLean will be buried at the Carolina Presbyterian Church Cemetary located in the Carolina Community, South Carolina, 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 4th. Arrangements are under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services in Ocala and Cooper Funeral Home in Dillon, South Carolina. Flowers or a donation to Fort King Presbyterian Church or Carolina Presbyterian Church in lieu of flowers are appreciated.
