Mrs. Oena P. McCray

Mrs. Oena P. McCray passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the age of 83 years. In God’s own time and way, and for His own purpose, Almighty God has reached down into our garden to pluck one of His beautiful flowers named Oena Perkins McCray. While Oena was surrounded by family and friends reminiscing of the good times, she quietly took her Master’s hand to live in His heavenly garden on Tuesday night, September 29th. Oena was the eldest of three children born to Joe Ivy Perkins and Elma Jackson Perkins, and a native of Denham Springs, Louisiana. She was married to the late Marvin McCray, Sr. for over 60 years and they were the proud parents of four children. We know that due to her outreach of love, there are others who affectionately called her “Mom”. She was baptized at an early age as a member of Roberts Chapel Methodist Church, Denham Springs, LA., where she attended Sunday school and sang in the children’s choir. She was proud to be a member of the first graduating class of West Livingston High School, and still treasured her Valedictorian speech. Oena and Marvin moved north to Saginaw, Michigan in the late 1950’s, where they became faithful and dedicated members of Bethel A.M.E. Church. And, we are so thankful, Marvin kept his promise his mother-in-law, and returned Oena to Louisiana for college. She graduated in 1962, Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA. Oena returned to Saginaw and taught in the Buena Vista School District for over 35 years, while helping open three stores with her husband (Walnut Street Market, McCray’s Market, and A&B Party ‘Buster’s” Store). During her employment, she enjoyed nurturing and making learning worthwhile to kids which included: coordinating many B.V. Talent Shows and Ricker Junior High Cedar Point trips; Coach for B.V.H.S. Pom-Pom squads, and Advisor to B.V. Class of 1980 & 1982. As she prepared her students for higher-education, she continued her own and received a Master’s Degree in Secondary Administration from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI. She was proud of her work experience as: teacher, special education teacher, work-study coordinator, Assistant Principal of Ricker Junior, and Principal of Paul L. Koeltzow Elementary, Archer A. Claytor Elementary and Charles F. Brunkow Elementary. Throughout the years Oena gained lots of respect, admiration, friendships, and additional children. A “people” person, Oena enjoyed her many memberships and affiliations which included: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.- Gamma Psi Sigma Chapter (Charter Member and Past Basileus); National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.- Gamma Kappa Chapter (Charter Member and Past Basileus); Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (Charter Member and Past President); Bethel A.M.E. Church Usher Board No. 2 and Sunday School Teacher; Christina M. Goines Missionary Society; Bethel A.M.E. Federal Credit Union (Treasurer); Michigan Education Association; National Association of Elementary Principals; Buena Vista Education Association (Past President); Buena Vista Administrators Association (Past President); Buena Vista Board of Education (Past President); Bethel Chapter No.23–Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation (Secretary and Past Worthy Matron); Tri-City Guild No. 7 – Heroines of Templar Crusades (Past Princess Captain); Ephraim Court No. 7 – Heroines of Jericho (Past Most Ancient Matron); Omega Court No. 2 – Ladies Of The Circle Of Perfection; Light of Hope Assembly No. 64 - Order of the Golden Circle; Prince Hall Grand Chapter – O.E.S. (Grand Scholarship Committee, Grand Youth Fraternity Sponsor & Advisor, and 2006 Convention – Co-Chair); Buena Vista Lioness Club (Past President); Mitten Bay Girl Scout Council (former Girl Scout leader); Buena Vista Scholarship Commission (President); Southern University Alumni Association, Saginaw Chapter (Charter Member); and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Life Member). God gave Oena the ministry of helping others; this was an integral part of her life. She was always willing to step in wherever assistance was needed. Many of her peers gave her honors which included: Outstanding Service Award 1983 – Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; Community Service Award 1984 – Ricker Jr. High P.T.A.; Outstanding Service Award – Bethel Chapter No.23 O.E.S.; Outstanding Citizen Award 1985 – Buena Vista School District; Outstanding Service Award 1985 – Bethel A.M.E. Christian Education Commission; Outstanding Service Award 1986 – Buena Vista Lioness Club, Woman of the Year Award 1986 – Prince Hall Grand Chapter O.E.S.; Woman of the Year Award 1988 – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and Mother of the Year Award 2005 – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Oena’s motto was “Give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you”. We know that the love we returned to her made her little light shine brighter – and it showed in her smile. Certainly, we will mourn the passing of our beloved mother, god-mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, niece and friend. But our memories of her will forever be dear to our hearts; and we will rejoice in the fact that our loved one has gone to her heavenly home where she is rejoicing. Her loving and warm presence will be missed by her four children: Meatha Gayle Winbush and Marva LeJuene Gordon, Saginaw, MI; Marlies McCray Mitchell, Denham Springs, LA; and Marvin ‘Marty’ McCray II, Saginaw, MI; ten grandchildren: Dena W. (Terry) Jackson, Henry (Nicol) Winbush Jr., Eric S. Gordon, Rachel, Ravyn & Randall Mitchell, Miracle & Precious Sherman-McCray, Ka’Marvia & Marve’onna McCray, one adopted granddaughter, Allegra Kendricks; and eleven great-grandchildren: Terry Jr., Jaden, Gabriel, Kyla, Eric Jr., Erielle, Khloe’i, Sa’Mariya, Deon III, Lauryn and Londyn. Her memory will also be cherished and celebrated by her sister, Helen P. Washington, Inglewood, CA; her brother, Arthur L. Perkins, Sr., Denham Springs, LA; two aunts, Velma L. Barnes, Denham Springs, LA; and Aline T. Perkins, Baton Rouge, LA; five sisters-in-law, Nora Perkins, Denham Springs, LA; Theresa Cole, St. Augustine, FL; Ruby McCray, Saginaw, MI; Mary ‘Sister’ McCray, Baton Rouge, LA; and Gloria McCray, El Sobrante, CA; two brothers-in-law: Johnny McCray Jr, Greensburg, LA and L.C. Cole, St. Augustine, FL; a devoted son-in-law, Stanley ‘Buster’ Gordon; two god-daughters: Janet T. McGhee and Dana L. Washington, two god-sons, James V. McGhee and Reginald A. Evans; nine nieces, seven nephews, and a host of cousins and friends, including Patricia Scott, Gloria Jones, ‘Sweet’ Annie Jackson, Leonard Williams, Jane E. McGhee, and Glen Jackson (neighbor), and among the many play-daughters includes: Archia ‘Peanut’ Jackson, Corene Sturghill, and Sherrie Rivers. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 535 Cathay Street. Pastor P. David Saunders, Sr. will officiate with interment in Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Oena P. McCray

April 25, 1932 - September 29, 2015