Josie McCray

Our beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Saturday, February 16, 2013 after a lengthy illness at the age of 74 years. Mrs. Josie McCray was born June 30, 1938 in Pickens, Arkansas, daughter of the late Abel Martin, Sr. and Rosie Williams-Martin. Josie came to Saginaw in 1945 and was a graduate of Saginaw High School, class of 1956. She graduated from nursing school in 1971. Josie was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she served on the Cup of Water Committee and was a member of Usher Board #2. She retired from St. Luke’s Hospital after 24 years of service. Josie was married to Elijah McCray. He preceded her in death in May of 2007. She loved reading, sports, music, traveling and doing crossword puzzles. Her memory will be cherished by two daughters, Lisa and Lynn McCray; one step-daughter, Jackie Thomas; four brothers, Abel Martin, Jr., Dan (Shirley) Martin, Roy Martin, Larry Martin (Rose); one sister, Claudine "Penny" Fife; a host of nieces and nephews, including special nieces, TiKyra Napoleon, Kamilah and Khalilah Freeman and Camille Freeman; god-daughters, Tiffany Johnson, Katrina Carter, Angie Frazier and Linda Hall; her in-laws, Rose Martin, Tom (Helen) Patterson, Bernard (Anne) McCray, Charles McCray and Nathaniel (Mary) McCray; many cousins and friends, including special cousins, Robert (Catherine) Williams and family and special friends, Iola Bothuell, Frances Farrell, Dorothy Perkins and Jim (Lois) Faniel and family. Josie was preceded in death by her son, Lloyd McCray; four brothers, John “Pete” Martin, Joe “Nug” Martin, Pierce “Tim” Martin and Donald “Dickie” Martin; brothers-in-law, Onzo Fife, William McCray, Levert McCray and John T. McCray; sisters-in-law, Alberta Lucky, Martha Hudson, Lillie Grant, Jessie Lou Gilles, Rosie McCray and Eddie Marie (Mae) Martin. A special thanks to her sister, Claudine "Penny" Fife and niece, Kimberly Napoleon-Simon, in assisting with her care. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2013 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 535 Cathay Street. Pastor P. David Saunders will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Josie McCray

June 30, 1938 - February 16, 2013