This Huntington native led an extraordinary and colorful life as a blues artist. She escaped a difficult home life at an early age and sought freedom and expression through performing, beginning her career at age 13. The circumstances of her early life, marked by abuse from her stepmother, pushed her to take bold actions, like disguising herself as a boy and joining a circus.

McClain's journey through the entertainment world was as diverse as it was long. From performing in minstrel and medicine shows to appearing on some of the most prestigious stages in America and Europe, McClain's career spanned decades and included performances alongside legends such as Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, and Bessie Smith, her half-sister. Her distinctive style, which evolved over time, garnered respect within the music world, though she didn’t receive the recognition she deserved until later in life.

Her decision to wear diamonds in her front teeth, leading to her iconic moniker Diamond Teeth Mary, helped solidify her unique presence in the music scene. By the time she was in her 80s and 90s, McClain was a celebrated blues figure, gaining wider recognition through a documentary and finally releasing her first recording at 91. McClain continued to perform until her death in 2000 at 97. Her ashes were sprinkled on the railroad tracks at Huntington, symbolizing the journey that began as a young girl fleeing her troubled home. Her posthumous induction into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2011 helps ensure that her legacy as one of the great blues pioneers lives on.