Mr. Ernest Samuel McClain

It is our esteemed honor in expressing that Ernest was hereby the first child born in a long line of siblings to Mr. Henry S. Moss, Jr., and Mrs. Johnnie Mae Moss on December 16, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri. Ernest was preceded in death by both beloved parents and beloved brothers, Donald and Kevin Sr.

Ernest did indeed accept Christ as his Lord and Savior at a very early age. He and his brood of siblings were members of Visitation Holy Ghost Catholic Church from birth until he claimed the Protestant faith later on in his adult life. As an adult, Ernest had been a long time standing West End Missionary Baptist Church here in St. Louis, Mo.

As a child, Ernest attended Visitation Holy Ghost Parochial Elementary School. He would later attend Enright Middle School and graduate via Class of 1975 from Sumner High School, all located in St. Louis, Mo. After high school Ernest joined the United States Marine Corps and served several assignments both stateside and abroad before moving to Los Angeles, Ca. for a brief period. After returning home to St. Louis, Ernest enrolled and studied Photography at St. Louis Community College. He entered into the workforce as a film developer for the old Fotomat Co. and worked as a security guard pastime.

Later on, Ernest began working the St. Louis City Marshall Services as a process server prior to starting his career with The Department of Labor – Job Corp Services as a full time public safety officer, where he remained for over 30 years until failing health forced him to retire from a career he absolutely enjoyed.

Ernest was a man of many qualities and passions. He loved to talk and tell stories. He enjoyed working on, building and driving fast cars. He also held a deep passion for riding motorcycles throughout the years. One of Ernest greatest passions however, was hunting. He loved to deer hunt and participated as often as he could.

Ernest could be very humorous and fun loving at times, but he did have a more serious side as well. Sometimes Ernest would tell the most unimaginable stories and laugh endlessly along the way. He was a man of many characteristics. He could be very graceful, compassionate and even hospitable. Anyone who knew him understood that behind that baritone voice and firm demeanor, Ernest would do anything for you if he could. He loved to roller skate and was an exceptional dancer as a young man. He actually remained an avid and capable dancer even in his older years. Ernest has been many a highlight during family gatherings over the years showing off his dance moves. In spite of his accumulative medical conditions and physical limitations in his later years, Ernest never relinquished his empowering spiritual desire and will to enjoy life as it was presented to him.

In 1980, Ernest would meet and fall in love with Ms. Deborah Braxton of St. Louis, Mo. This was the beginning of what turned out to be a lifelong union between them. They would later marry and bring forth six wonderful children.

In his passing on to God, Ernest leaves to cherish his very fond memories: his wife, Deborah; 6 children, Albert, Dominique, Janise, Whitney, Johnnie and Emma; grandchildren, Deborah, Fallyn, Candice, Branise, Bruce, Maurice, Serenity, Leanna and Leea. Ernest is also survived by a long list of steadfast and loving siblings: Lonnie Sr., Kenneth, Desmond, Monica, Marsha, Charita, Donita and Allisa; 4 aunts, 2 uncles, many cousins, over 50 wonderful nieces and nephews, along with a host of other family and friends left to embrace such a cherished life story.

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