Obituary of Russell McClain Jr

After a lengthy illness, Russell McClain Jr. journeyed home to our heavenly Father on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:56pm. He was born on December 29, 1956 to the late Russell McClain Sr. and Anthura Jenkins McClain-Talley. He attended Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Woodstock Job Corp Center as a certified welder. He also studied at The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). In 1978 he married Ms. Valerie Tune and had daughter Tuesday McClain. Daughter Shalita McClain was born to Ms. Sharon Lee. Upon the dissolution of his first marriage, daughter Melony McClain and son Russell McClain III were born to Ms. Ellen Merrick. Daughter Eliza McClain- was born to Ms. Crystal Johnson. Russell began his Christian walk while a student at Job Corp when a minister showed him in the scriptures how much God loved him. Returning home to Baltimore in 1977, he established his relationship with God joining his first congregation. His spiritual relationship blossomed under Pastor Joseph Brown of Manna Bible Baptist Church in the Upper Park Heights area of Baltimore Maryland. There he organized the prison ministries and street ministries. Russell was a welder at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point Shipyard from 1975– 1980. He says he left Sparrows Point because welding would damage his eyesight and interfere with his ability to be an artist. And a great artist he was, painting murals throughout Baltimore including: The 32nd Street Market and The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Later he combined his talents with Excellent Production out of Tidewater Virginia and Cecil Johnson where he did work with Campden Yards and theatrical productions throughout Tidewater. Returning to Maryland he joined Ryland Homes as a drywall and texture worker for new construction. He also worked with property owner Jay Tatle. In 2008 He joined Excellent Productions of Baltimore, Maryland as the Artistic Director. In 2010 he married Ms. Ramona Jones and added to his family bonus children Kalifa, Christopher & Jumanne (now deceased) Maddox. In 2012 he opened his commercial artist business Assured Graphics. In 2020 he opened R & R Tag & Title Services in Reisterstown, Maryland. In September 2025 the Howard Park Community honored him for above & beyond outstanding community service. He leaves to CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND mourn HIS PASSING Wife: Ramona Jones-McClain. Daughters: Tuesday, Chalita, Melony, & Eliza; and Son Russell McClain III and wife Danielle McClain. Bonus children: Kalifa & Christopher Maddox. Grand Kids: Mary, Kaylah, GG-Dayton, Steven, Sage, Logan, Skylar, Dyshon, Darian, the late Ke'Asia, & Toni GG- Darian, Aubrey, Kody, Zerah, Keh'lani, Keh'oni and Tate. Siblings: Alton McClain Scarborough, Valerie Marrow, Andrea Pitchford, Michael Talley and Robert Talley. Aunts & Uncles: Sheila, Perdina, Jerry, Andre, and Ellsworth. Sisters-in-law: Sallie Marrow, Britanous Talley, Monica Jones & Monique Williams; Brother-in-law: Michael Marrow; Ronald Ingram. Father-in-law & Mother-in-law: Dr. & Mrs. Matthew L. & Maxine W. Jones. Late family members: Vivian (Sister), Roslyn (Sister), Bernard (Brother) and Jumanne (Stepson) Robert Talley (Stepfather) and a host of nieces and nephews and young people that claimed Russell as their father. A viewing for Mr. McClain will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road Randallstown, MD 21133. On Saturday, February 21, 2026, a homegoing celebration for Mr. Russell McClain Jr. will be held at Concord Baptist Church, 5204 Liberty Heights Avenue Baltimore, MD 21207 where the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. with services to follow. Immediately following services, the Interment will be held at King Memorial Park.