Cleaster (Kearney) Sain

Cleaster Kearney Sain

October 2, 1946 ~ February 11, 2026 (age 79)

Cleaster “Cle” Sain was born October 2, 1946 to the union of William and Alma Jean Kearney in Bolivar, Tennessee.

Her parents, two brothers (William Earl Kearney and Larry Kearney), one sister (Carolyn Louise Wells) her son Richard Gerrod Sain and her grandson Darryl Anthony James preceded her in death.

She received her early educaon from Allen White in Whiteville, Tennessee and later connued her educaon at The University of Tennessee at Memphis where she received her Bachelor of Science for Occupaonal Therapy and later rered at the age of 55 from Western Mental Facility.

Cleaster received Christ at an early age and was a lifeme and dedicated member of Bethlehem Missionary Bapst Church. She served as the choir president, Sunday School teacher, and started the Mother/Daughter Luncheon to help strengthen the mother and daughter bond of the church.

Cleaster’s life can best be encapsulated by the ve “F” words: Family, Friends, Flowers, Food and Fun. In her 79 years of life with us she experienced an abundance of each.

Family: Cleaster being the matriarch of the family she made sure that she kept everyone together and in line.

She spent her years in Bolivar, TN with most of her family living close by. Cleaster has three children: Marilyn James of Bolivar, TN, Richard Gerrod “Rod” Sain (preceded in death) and Michelle Harrison (Clark) of Lewisburg, TN. She loved geng every- one together to enjoy good laughs and creang new memories.

Friends: Cleaster cherished her friendships, developing them at each stage of her life, with most of these lasng the remainder of her life. From phone call chats to joint family oungs,

to sharing informal and formal meals and entertaining, to class reunions, helping others achieve lifeme goals and helping in mes of sadness and diculty Cleaster was up for it all.

Flowers: Cleaster absolutely loved anything and everything about owers and was considered and master gardener. Most of her outdoor me was spent tending to her owers that she planted around her home. You knew she loved you if you were presented with a bouquet of her personally homegrown owers! She was also known for her incredible seamstress skills. The enre community knew that they could call on Cleaster for a hem or a whole suit if you needed it. She would stch you up whenever and wherever!

Food: If you needed a casserole then Cleaster had you covered! Broccoli casserole, sweet potato casserole and especially her all me specialty cornbread casserole! If you would eat it she would cook it!

Fun: Cleaster was a passionate globetrotter, who believed in experiencing the world firsthand. She was blessed to travel to 40+ places around the globe both nationally and internationally. She was particularly proud of her trips to Italy, Spain, Alaska and Aruba. She was even planning a trip to London before her illness. She enjoyed cruises, road trips long and short. She also loved dancing and would challenge you to a good game of scrabble if you dared.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters, Marilyn James of Bolivar, TN and Michelle Harrison (Clark) of Lewisburg, TN; her grandchildren, Eboni James of Nashville, TN, Mekell Sain (Benorise) of Memphis, TN, Malek Sain of Lewisburg, TN, Rokesha Paige of Grand Junction, TN, and Lakendra Sain of Olive Branch, MS; her great grandchildren, Jade James of Bolivar, TN, Quintavious Kelley of Memphis, TN, Bailee and Braxton Paige of Olive Branch, MS, A’Niya Iluobe of Grand Junction, TN; ten siblings, Ruby Ross of Nashville, TN, Charles Kearney (Juanda) of Bolivar, TN, Bobbi Robinson of Nashville, TN, Roger Kearney (Jackie) of Muscle Shoals, AL, Michael Kearney (Keren) of Charleston, SC, Jacqueline McCarley of Bolivar, TN; Keith Kearney (Diane) of LaPlace, LA; Tony Kearney of Bolivar, TN; Mable Kearney Graves of Bolivar, TN; Reginald Kearney (Billie) of Bolivar, TN; one aunt Mattie Kearney of Chicago, IL and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Her family takes comfort on knowing she is on her next great adventure, HEAVEN. 

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