Published Date:
Val Jean Cates McLean, daughter of the late Charles and Josie Cates was born October 1, 1950 in Hope Mills, North Carolina. She peacefully departed this life Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Duke University Hospital.
Val was a 1968 graduate of Ann Chestnut High School. Upon graduation, she continued her education at North Carolina Central University. At an early age she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and while living in Durham joined St Joseph’s African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was an active church member and a member of the Missionary Society.
She was united in holy matrimony to James McLean on August 5, 1972. This union was blessed with three children. Upon graduating NCCU, Val and James made Durham, NC their work and family home.
Val received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education as well as two Masters in Counseling and Education Administration from NCCU. Upon graduation, she worked in education and served as a school counselor at Pearsontown Elementary School and as an assistant principal at Burton Elementary School. She was also an active member of Jack and Jill of America Incorporated and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated ®.
Val was a faithful supporter of NCCU financially as well as in the giving of her time. She loved and actively attended football and basketball games and worked tirelessly with her alumni class in the planning of events and activities. Val most loved spending time with her family and friends and was always the life of the party. As a result of her generous spirit and warming personality, she was loved by many, and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her husband of 49 years: James McLean; children: Leslie (Martel) McPhaul of Charlotte, NC, Kelli (Anthony) Slade of Durham, NC, Brandon (Jeanine) McLean of Atlanta, GA and a bonus daughter, Janae Lawson of Durham, NC; six grandchildren: Julian McPhaul and Olivia McPhaul, both of Charlotte, NC, Cameron McLean and Devin McLean, both of Atlanta, GA and Jamale Slade and Layla Slade both of Durham, NC; two brothers: Thaddis (Stephanie) Cates of Dayton, Ohio and Milton (Pamela) Cates of Orlando, Florida; two sisters: Myra Shobande (Jide) of Durham, NC and Susan Brandon of Durham, NC; brother-in-law: Edward McLean (Marsha); sister-in-law: Liz Brown (Ronald); aunts and uncles; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Floral deliveries may be sent to St. Joseph's Church 2521 Fayetteville St., Durham NC on Friday February 25, 2022 between the hours of 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, and Saturday February 26, 2022 from 9:00 am - 9:45 am
Viewing/Visitation: St Joseph's AME Church 2521 Fayetteville St., Durham, NC 27707, Saturday February 26, 2022 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Ivy Beyond The Wall Services from 11:00 am until 11:30 am. Facial coverings are required.
Funeral Services: St. Joseph's AME Church 2521 Fayetteville St., Durham, NC 27707 Saturday February 26, 2022 at 12:00 noon. Facial coverings are required. Services will stream live on St. Joseph's website - https://www.stjosephame.org/, or facebook - st joseph ame church durham or you tube.
Click On The Add Comments Line below to leave a message for the family of Mrs. Val Jean Cates Mclean.
Guest Book
Family or Deceased Name: Val McLean
Your Name: Carolyn Carver Tann
Email: ccarvertann@yahoo.com
Message: Val was a very sweet person. l met here thru Jack n Jill . We also lived in Woodcroft. She will be soarly missed. Carolyn McPhail, Tann, Kamilah McPhail Mckissick
Date: 9194521702
Family or Deceased Name: McLean Family
Your Name: Rev. Dr. Robert O'Neal, Jr.
Email: roneal@liberty.edu
Message: We at The Tabernacle can only imagine the grief and sorrow that you bear. May you find comfort during this time as God strengthens your heart with His love and peace.
With caring thoughts and prayers from the church family of O’Neal Revival Tabernacle and Rev. Dr. Robert O’Neal, Senior Pastor.
Date: February 28, 2022
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs.Val McLean
Your Name: Monica Rainey
Email: mgraham02@hotmail.com
Message: I send my dearest condolences to McLean Family. I pray that God will comfort you during this time �55357;�56469;God will provide...
Date: 312022
Family or Deceased Name: Val-Jean mcLean
Your name: Jean scott
Email: jean57scott@gmail.com
Message: Sending my condolences, Val were a wonderful person, glad l got to know her, my prayers and love are with you all, praying GOD will give you strength at this time.
Date: 2/25/22
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Claudine Lewis
Email: claudine_lewis@hotmail.com
Message: My sincere condolences to Jimmy, Kelli, Myra and the entire family. I truly will miss Val's laughs and smiles. She always made me feel happy. R.I.P. Dear Soror Val.
Date: 02-25-2022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Vernal McRae Cooper
Email: vmcooper4@gmail.com
Message: Val Jean was a beautiful person inside and out. She was kind and sweet. Her smile was so radiant. I am praying and asking God to take care of your deepest needs. Love, Vernal
Family or Deceased Name: Val McLean
Your Name: Quan Williams
Email: quan.williams@att.net
Message: Val was blessed with the gift of laughter. Once you heard her laugh, all you could do is laugh and smile, because her laughter was so contagious. She could could convert a room into a state of happiness, even if you didn't think what she said was funny.....
That was truly a gift from God�55357;�56397;�55356;�57342;. We will forever hear her laughter and that provide a sustaining joy, long after she is gone.
Quan & Faye Williams
Date: 02242022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean McClean
Your Name: Ken and Lori Gibbs
Email: lsjgibbs@gmail.com
Message: To Jim and Family, Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved wife and mother. May you hold onto the fond memories you shared with her and smile for the joy you had. May God strengthen you at this time of bereavement.�55357;�56911;�55356;�57341;�55357;�56911;�55356;�57341;�55357;�56911;�55356;�57341;
Date: 2242022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Lynn Hawkins
Email: dlbhawk@yahoo.com
Message: Sincerest condolences to the McLean family.
Date: Feb 23,2022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates
Your Name: Doris Brown
Email: dorisbrown505@yahoo.com
Message: I will always remember Val's beautiful smile. She was such a sweet person.
Date: 2222022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Everlene Turrentine
Email: everlene.turrentine@dpsnc.net
Message: May fond memories bring comfort during this most difficult time.
Date: 02*23*2022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean McLean
Your Name: Jackie Stephenson
Email: jackiews@hotmail.com
Message: My deepest condolences to the whole family, may God grant you peace and understanding.
“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Date: 022322
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Reginald Ray, A.C. Class of 66
Email: nnkRR1@gmail.com
Message: To my brother Thad ("TC"), and all of the Cates family and extended family and to Val's McLean family and extended family; my heart breaks for the loss of your dear Val. I will treasure the memory of "Little Sis" Val. May you all know the peace, comfort and love of our God as you celebrate Val's beautiful and loving life of service to Him and others. My memories of the strong faith of the Cates family abounds in all of you during this time of grief and you all will surely know the joy that He will send to you all after the "mourning." YIH, Reggie.
Date: 02222022
Family or Deceased Name: Mrs. Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Reddit & Ida Alexander
Email: ri7242@aol.com
Message: There are no words to express our pain. Just know there is a comforter. We shall miss her laughter and her lovely eyes. Just know God will take care of you and the family.
Date: 2/23/2022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates Mclean
Your Name: Kenneth Melvin
Email: Kenmelvin2012@gmail.com
Message: Condolences to the Mclean and Cates families. Val was a special person and was friends with much of my Hope Mills family ( The Melvin's and Hodges ). God be with Husband and family . Val rest in peace.
Date: 02/23/2022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean McLean
Your Name: Joe Louis Dragg
Email: jdragg@verizon.net
Message: Wishing the Cates and McLean families strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Date: 3016413863
Family or Deceased Name: Val McLean
Your Name: Fitts Family
Email: quekingdavid@mindspring.com
Message: Rest In Peace Val�55357;�56911;�55356;�57342;
Jim and Family,
We are praying for your uplift especially now! May God strengthen you and let your fond memories bring you consolation.
Respectfully
The Fitts Family
Maxine, David and David Jr.
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Billy Hodges
Email: agentjohn73@yahoo.com
Message: Fond memories @ Anne Chesnutt class of 1968
RIP Val praying for the McLean family
Date: 2232022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Cates-Mclean
Your Name: Anne Chestnut Class of 1966
Email: distiny5055@gmail.com
Message: Thaddeus Cates and the Mclean family, your classmates join with your family In
mourning and celebrating the life of Val Jean.We will continue to lift your entire family up in prayer.
Family or Deceased Name: Val Cates McLean
Your Name: Shirley Sansbury McAllister
Email: mcallist5@aol.com
Message: It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences. Val and I were childhood friends and our families were very close. She was always the cheerful one and calming one in our little group of friends. As adults it was always a pleasure to see her. May God comfort and keep the family in this time of bereavement. Remember that "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal"
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: René Galloway Johnson
Email: alisharene1989@gmail.com
Message: Prayers and condolences upon the lost of our Soror Val McLean. She will be truly missed for the love, smiles, and happy life that she shared with all of us! We love you Val for the special things that you have done for us and for the special place that you will always hold in our hearts!
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Judy Sansbury Godwin
Email: judy_godwin@aol.com
Message: With deep sympathy of the lost of your love one. Val was a hometown friend from Hope Mills, NC. Our parents were very close friends as well. I pray that God will comfort you during this difficult time. Love and Prayers for the family.
Date: 2/22/22
Family or Deceased Name: Val McLean
Your Name: Tonya Spruill Holsey
Email: tjspruill@hotmail.com
Message: Sending my heartfelt condolences to the McLean and Cates families. To one of the sweetest women I’ve shared hugs, laughter, smiles and fun little chats with - you are sorely missed.
Date: 02,22,2022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Mclaen
Your Name: Dorothy Patterson Mesta
Email: sgorham2003@yahoo.com
Message: My Condolences to the family and May God comfort you doing this time. Rest In Peace Val Jean �55357;�56650;�55357;�56650;�55357;�56650;
Date: 02222022
Family or Deceased Name: Val Jean Cates McLean
Your Name: Carolyn Williams & Stephen Hodgkins
Email: aseawyls@gmail.com
Message: Deepest condolences to Jimmy and the rest of the family. Val was a beloved fellow member of NCCU Class of 1972. Her welcoming smile and big beautiful eyes were always so much there each time we saw each other. My family mourns with yours and pray that God grants you whatever you need to find your path forward.
Date: 2/22/2022
