Shirley (McCray) Gause

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow

of the Almighty.  Psalm 91:1

Shirley Ann McCray Gause,

affectionately known as “MaMa” by her grandchildren, daughter of the late Fred and Mary Ellen Sarvis McCray was born August 21, 1953 in Bucksport, South Carolina. She attended the public schools of Horry County, was a graduate of Conway High School in 1971. She also received her degree in Secretarial Science from Horry Georgetown Technical College. At an early age, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and joined Jerusalem Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she was dedicated member. At Jerusalem Chapel, she served faithfully as member of the choir, kitchen committee, and the Deaconess Board.

She was united in holy matrimony to Elder Donald Quincy Adams Gause on October 14, 1973. This union was blessed with four children. Upon Elder Donald Gause’s call to pastorship, she served as First Lady of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church and of St. James Church of God. As a result, of her generous spirit and pleasant personality, she was loved by many. This was also seen and carried out in her roles in AVX where she worked for over 20 years and Walmart Inc, in Conway, SC where she was a devoted a employee for over 10 years. Her Christian Life was as beautiful in her conversations and expressed in the actions of her life. Her favorite passage was Psalm 91 which speaks of living in the presence of God to bring the blessings and promises of His protection in the valleys of our lives. She taught this message throughout her life, even until her appointed time to return home to her heavenly Father.

She traded her cross for a crown on Sunday, January 01, 2023 at MUSC in Charleston, SC. She was preceded in death by three brothers – Frederick, Larry, and Oscar McCray and one sister – Vanessa Bellamy.

Her beautiful life will be forever cherished by her husband, Elder Donald Quincy Adams Gause. Her children: Elder LaQuetia Levette (Andre) Gilliard, Rodney Lamont (Conzuela) Gause, NaTasha Quinnette (Cris) Gause, and Felicia Monique Gause – all of Columbia, SC; seventeen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; two God-Daughters Shirella Quinnette Mack of Atlanta, GA, and LaDorian Alston, one sister LuTricia (Jimmy) Lee and one raised like a sister Ann McCray, one brother Donnie (Kathy) McCray, all of Conway, SC; one brother-in-law: Boston Carnell Gause of Burlington, NJ; nine sisters-in-law: Reverend Beulah Smith of Iselin, NJ, Dr. Lavonne (Rev. John) Erskine of St. Albans, NY, Juanella Faison of San Francisco, CA, Rev. Windy Gause of Virginia Beach, VA, Amanda Matilda (Darrell) Proctor of Chesnee, SC, Ernestine Gause of Baltimore, MD, Denise McCray and Cynthia Gause both of Conway, SC and Sukki McCray of Springfield, MS; three aunts: Peggy (Melvin) Spruill, Helen (Dock) Hunt, both of Conway, SC, and Jesse (Lonzell) Graham of Greenville, SC; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

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