Roberta McCain

Roberta Wright McCain
Roberta McCain at the 1992 launching of USS John S. McCain (DDG-56)
Born	(1912-02-07) February 7, 1912 Muskogee, Oklahoma
Nationality	American
Known for	Wife of Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. Mother of U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate John McCain
Spouse	John S. McCain, Jr. (1933-1981)

Roberta Wright McCain (born February 7, 1912) is the widow of Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. (1911-1981) and mother of Arizona Senator and presidential candidate John S. McCain III.

Background

Her parents were married in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas, on June 18, 1901. Her father was Archibald Wright, a Los Angeles oil wildcatter andKlansman, born October 23, 1875, near Kossuth, Alcorn County, Mississippi. Wright, a second cousin four times removed of George Washington, died in Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 1971. Her mother, Myrtle Fletcher, was born January 8, 1885, in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas. Fletcher died in Los Angeles, California, on December 29, 1972. McCain and her twin sister, Rowena, were born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She married John S. McCain, Jr., on January 21, 1933, in Caesar's Bar, Tijuana, Mexico.

Son

McCain's son, John S. McCain III, was held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for five and a half years. Upon his release on March 15, 1973, he hurled expletives at his captors. Mrs. McCain's response was, "Johnny, I'm going to come over there and wash your mouth out with soap."

John McCain has said of his mother: "My mother was raised to be a strong, determined woman who thoroughly enjoyed life, and always tried to make the most of her opportunities. She was encouraged to accept, graciously and with good humor, the responsibilities and sacrifices her choices have required of her. I am grateful to her for the strengths she taught me by example." [1]

Roberta McCain is still active and visible, at age 96, during her son's 2008 presidential campaign.

Other children

McCain also has a daughter named Sandy McCain Morgan who is older than John and a son named Joe McCain, a dinner theatre actor, born c. 1942, who is younger than John.

References

• McCain's Mother, CNN, February 28, 2000.
• Shaping Character and Destinies: John McCain, National Public Radio, by Terry Gross, December 6 2005.
• McCain highlights mother's age on Mother's Day May 14, 2007.
• Roberta McCain on Meet the Press, Mothers Day 2007.
• Play of the Day: McCain's Mom on Mormons, November 9, 2007
• Ancestry of Sen. John McCain