Deacon Edward McCray

To our friends and families, in an effort to ensure the health and safety of everyone during this challenging time, and minimize the spread of COVID-19, we ask that all adhere to the precautions and guidelines established for attendance at the funeral home (mandatory masks) and (masks) at graveside services and practicing social distancing.  Anyone who exhibits symptoms please show your support by sending flowers and words of comfort to the family. 

Edward “Eddie” McCray was born to the late Taylor McCray and Lucille Poinsette McCray on October 2, 1934 in Bucksport, South Carolina. He departed into his eternal rest August 2, 2020. Eddie grew up in a large and loving family in the Bucksport Community where he worked with his father and brothers on the family farm. He attended the Richardson Training School in the Bucksport Community and Whitemore High School, in Conway, SC, where he graduated with the class of 1955.

In 1959 he moved to Springfield Massachusetts and began work at the Diamond Match Corporation and was later employed as an Arms Inspector at the Springfield Armory. Eddie always had a strong work ethic. He secured a maintenance contract for the Springfield Community College and obtained a licensed to sell and deliver milk in the city of Springfield. Eddie courted his hometown friend Millie Marthena Owens, from Bucksport. They married on March 11, 1961. To this union was born their three children Constance Yvette, Edward Rondell and Deborah Lynnette. While raising his young family he worked and was actively involved in Third Baptist Church as a youth missionary under Reverend Fulllilove. During some summer months Eddie would return to Bucksport to work on the farm with his father-in-law, Simon Owens and often transported truckloads of fruits and vegetables back to the northern states for resale. After years of the Massachusetts and cold and snow, Eddie moved his family to the warmer climate of Bucksport SC. He and his wife, Marthena purchased land in their home community and began to build life and raise their children in the presence of all their three remaining grandparents. Eddie and Marthena started a local family business; a laundromat on highway 701 and a clothing store “Mac and Son.” His wife Marthena, was the seamstress and managed the family business.

Eddie actively served as a member of the Jerusalem Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for over forty years. During which time he sang on the adult choir, served as an usher, taught Sunday School, worked with the Men’s Ministry, served as a trustee and on the Deacon Board. He was also actively involved in his community as an entrepreneur, as a board member of the burgeoning Bucksport Water System, on the Bucksport Community Youth Sports committee and as a local volunteer Fireman.

In addition to working full time as an inspector with Grove Manufacturing upon his return to the Bucksport Community, Eddie actively farmed with his own land and with his father-in-law. Eddie worked as a lead carpenter for several years and taught his son, Rondell, the trade. Years later he worked at Horry County EOC and the Horry County School Systems from which he retired. In his retirement years he worked with the Horry County Solid Waste Authority until 2013. In July 2015 Eddie and his wife of 54 years moved to Columbia South Carolina to live with their younger daughter, Deborah. Eddie enjoyed life in Columbia among his children and grandchildren for five years, but always longed to return to Bucksport and the Jerusalem Chapel community.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his devoted wife of fifty nine years, Millie Marthena Owens McCray, three children, Constance (Wayne) Gregory of Philadelphia, PA; Lt. Colonel Edward Rondell (Melody) of Columbia, SC; one daughter of the home, Deborah Lynnette McCray; one nephew whom he raised as son, Pearson Blakney. He also leaves seven grandchildren John Simon, Philip Wayne and Mark Edward Gregory all of Philadelphia, PA; Susanna (Riccardo) Arroyo of Greensboro, NC; Joanna, GraceAnna and Johnathan Edward McCray all of Columbia, SC. Ten siblings have proceeded him in death; Kathleen McKithen, Oscar, Lou Ella Wadell, Fred, Annie Bell, Carolyn, Joseph, Edna Ivery (his twin sister), and James Lee. He leaves one devoted sister Mary Reece of Bucksport, SC; one brother-in-law and four sisters-in-law: Mildred McCray of Bucksport, SC; Joe Owens and Mary Ryan, of Springfield, MA; Ruth Maddox of El Paso, TX and Laura (Council) Picket, of Virginia Beach, VA. He also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Senior Resources Sr. Companion Program, 2817 Millwood Ave. Columbia, SC 29205, POC: Mrs. Beverly Breuer (803)252-7734, 5O1(c)(3)#: 570484965