Clinton honors Clinton 12 member’s passing
Bobby Cain
Cain and the other Clinton 12 students were the second group of African Americans to attend a government run school in the southeast and the first to attend a public school, as the previous one, Oak Ridge had a federal arrangement. The Clinton 12, a group of Black students braved a mob and threats to attend school at CHS. Cain entered the school during his senior year and graduated in 1956. These events took place just two years after the Brown v. Board of Education Decision in 1954.
Asbury United Methodist Church announced his passing and offered condolences to his friends and family.
“Our prayers, and our deepest condolences are with you; and may the peace of Christ and the power of the Holy spirit, embrace you in your time of loss,” the church stated in a message from Pastor Lee Radford and family.
The following night, city of Clinton Vice Mayor Larry Gann honored him at a prayer before Clinton City Council.
“We pray for his family during this difficult time and hope that all will remember the sacrifices and the stand that he took as part of the Clinton 12,” Gann said.
“Bobby Cain was a great man,” city of Clinton Mayor Scott Burton told The Courier News. “He’ll be sorely missed and had a great impact, not only in this community but also in the state and the nation.”
The Green McAdoo Cultural Center at 101 School Street tells the story of Cain and the other Clinton 12. Its director Adam Velk has fond memories of meeting Cain, specifically of his bright purple suit, but also the person inside of it.
“He was a very kind, very gracious man,” said Velk. “He was one of the coolest people that I’ve ever met.” But beyond those memories Velk said he admired Cain for facing “unbearable difficulties” to attend CHS.
“We lost a giant,” he said. “This was a regular human being who found himself in an absolute crucible, and in that situation he managed to be remarkable.”
