Nillani (Sharynelle) “Lu Lu'' Thomas McClain was born to Martha and Ronald Thomas, Sr. on September 3, 1971 at the John Andrew Veteran Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. After building a robust life full of faith, love, family, and friendship, Nillani fought a valiant battle with uterine cancer but succumbed to the disease on August 25, 2022 in New York City. She was surrounded by the love of her parents, her beloved husband, and dear friends when her earthly journey ended.

 Nillani is survived by her parents, Martha and Ronald, brother, Ronald Thomas, Jr., sister, Quanda Pullum, husband of 16 years, David McClain, daughters, Miela (12) and Kerah (10), mother-in-law, Pamela Gooden, brother-in-law, William (Bira) McClain, Jr., step mother-in-law, Jo Ann McClain, dozens of extended family members, including close cousins Gail Benton and Leslie Robinson, and a host of cherished life-long friends that Nillani regarded as family. Nillani was preceded in death by her father-in-law, William (Bobby) McClain.

 Nillani spent the first ten months of her life in Montgomery, Alabama before her parents moved the family to Las Vegas, Nevada where she attended Helen Maria Smith Elementary School, Kermit R. Booker Jr Middle School, Frank Garside Junior High School, and Bonanza High School. Early on Nillani was a Brownie and she later played volleyball in high school. At an early age, Nillani showed an aptitude for mathematics and competed in math tournaments for Garside Junior High School. 

 Nillani’s parents remember her as a very active child who enjoyed dancing, ice skating, making friends and driving. Many are familiar with Nillani’s love of driving, beginning with the Nissan 240Z she drove during college and then with her faithful and reliable 1996 Nissan Maxima that she drove for more than two decades. What some may not know is how early she started driving. One day, Nillani’s father went out to the driveway and noticed that his prized 1962 Chevy pick-up truck - with a manual transmission no less - was missing from the driveway so he reported the truck stolen to the police. Soon after filing the report, Nillani returned home and backed the truck into their driveway, barely peeking over the steering wheel and grinning with accomplishment.  She was all of 14 years old! 

 Nillani proudly told stories of her mother teaching her to cook ”the best” southern dishes. During holidays, Nillani spent hours on the phone with her mother while she worked to perfect the family Mac and Cheese recipe. Although she didn’t cook often, when she did cook Nillani could “throw down” in the kitchen. Nillani also loved fashion - dressing up and looking good was a favorite pastime that she nurtured and maintained throughout every phase of her life. Nillani’s father notes that even as a child, “Nillani was ‘high-maintenance’…”. He says he made sure that her husband, David, was aware of this pastime before they got married, jokingly warning him that “there will be no returns”. David soon learned that her love for shopping and her impeccable fashion sense was unparalleled – the woman knew how to dress! As many can attest, her love of fashion extended to how she dressed her babies.

As a child, Nillani’s biggest wish was for a baby brother. Her father tried to encourage her to share the baby brother of her first cousin, Gail, but Nillani insisted that she wanted her own baby brother so that he could always stay with her. And when Nillani was 7 years old, God blessed her with her own baby brother and she named him Ronnie, after her father. Nillani has always treasured her baby brother Ronnie.

Throughout her life, Nillani honored the sage advice of her parents: 1/stay with God, 2/tell the truth, and 3/make friends. Her commitment and respect for their wisdom never faltered, for that and many other reasons, her parents are profoundly proud of the life she built and lived. Nillani’s life revolved around deep commitment to her children and husband, her immediate and extended family, and her relationships with life-long girlfriends. She left every space she entered better than when she found it, looking for and demanding the best from the people in her life. She was kind and loving (although never sentimental), generous to a fault, and fiercely protective of those she loved.

 Nillani attended college at Georgetown University where she established some of her most cherished friendships, many of which have endured the test of time for more than 30 years. After college she would go on to establish many other deeply meaningful friendships with people she met along her life’s journey in Washington, D.C and New York City. Nillani’s closest girlfriends hold her as compassionate, caring, loyal, and a ‘force for good’. One friend describes her as, “…a faithful and devoted friend who without exception always saw the best in everyone.” and as “…someone who [showed] unending patience and understanding through her actions and in the way she was your friend - you felt it.” She always gave expert counsel, making her the go-to for all of life’s challenges, big and small. Her advice was honest, balanced, sometimes challenging, but always life-affirming. Friends and colleagues left conversations with Nillani assured that everything would be OK. They felt seen and heard, which is a testament to Nillani’s exceptionalism as a colleague and friend.

Nillani’s mother-in-law, Pamela, says that Nillani is her “Daughter-of-the-Heart”. Pamela reflects on Nillani as a “who-could-ask-for-anything-more” mother to Miela and Kerah, a soulmate for her son, David, and an ever-committed granddaughter-in-law to David’s 103-year-old grandmother. When David’s grandmother was still with us, Nillani ensured the family made the trek from New York City to Albuquerque, New Mexico at least annually so that Miela and Kerah could know their paternal great-grandmother. Nillani’s “mother wit” made her wise beyond her years.

As in other areas of her life, Nillani’s impact on her work family was broad and deep. Colleagues describe her as a “trusted confidant, mentor, and friend” and as “…an optimist, full of life, kind, and generous.” They, too, are heartbroken as they reflect on the outsized impact she had on the organization during the 18 years she spent with her last employer.

“Staying with God” as her parents encouraged her to do so many years ago, Nillani maintained the commitment to her faith as a member of Emanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY and later as a member of Imani Baptist Church of Christ (IBCC) after she and David moved to New Jersey. At IBCC, she was a faithful Bible Discovery and Sunday School attendee as well as a Sunday School teacher. She served with the Children's and Women’s Ministries and was a dedicated participant of the Chop Shop and Super Saturday Discipleship groups. She completed her tenure with Imani Baptist Church of Christ as the Chair of the Trustee Ministry. 

Nillani trusted in God’s wisdom, living her faith up until the final moments of her life, a model for the type of strength and courage that surpasses all earthly understanding. When she realized her condition was terminal, she did not panic. Instead, as always, she reached out to assure family and dear friends that everything would be alright. In person and over the phone, she told them, “I am not afraid. I am at peace.” She then encouraged everyone to “....carry on and keep pressing forward.” Ever committed to the love and care of her daughters, her only request to all was to “take care of my babies.”

So even as we grieve, we are compelled to celebrate the life and spirit of this extraordinary woman. We are flooded with enormous gratitude for the time and space we were able to share with her. We will remember all that Nillani taught us about loving each other and ourselves and cherish the way she made the world more loving, more balanced, and more manageable. She was one of God’s working angels. Through her example, we are reminded of the power of faith and take comfort in God’s ever-present grace and mercy. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/nillani-mcclain-thomas/obituary/

Copy