Virgie (Grace) McCray

Virgie (Grace) McCray, of Buckhannon, died Friday, December 24, 2010, one day before her 92nd birthday on Christmas Day. She was born in Lewis County, near Duffy, a daughter of the late J. Troy and Virgie McCartney Pickens. She spent much of her life working in various places but her farm at Duffy was always home to her and remains in the family. She was married to the late Lawrence McCray and they were parents of three children: Eletha (Lea) Smarr of Buckhannon and her friend, Bob Rogers, Leonard D. McCray and wife Nola of Hacker Valley, and Wanda Greathouse and husband, Carl, of Salem, WV. Grace was a woman of many talents. She loved to sing and play music all her life and could play organ, piano, guitar, and nearly any other stringed instruments. Always an avid gardener, she loved canning fruits and vegetables and making apple butter, jams, and jellies. Having grown up during the depression, she wasted nothing and appreciated much. She was an accomplished seamstress and made clothes for her children when they were small, as well as making beautiful quilts over the years. She loved to keep busy and was a hard worker well into her eighties when her health began to decline. Trained as a practical nurse, Grace worked in many nursing homes and hospitals, including the Weston State Hospital, until her mother needed constant care. At that time, she designed and built a large house and opened a personal care home where she helped many patients over the years. She shared her knowledge of life skills and was always giving advice (often unsolicited) to others. Her children often say that their mother got smarter as they got older and they appreciated her more. She was alert and interested in current affairs and family happenings even after she went to Holbrook Nursing Home where she spent the last few months. She is survived by her grandchildren: Rick Smarr, Larry (Pam) Smarr, Brenda Williams, and Linda Williams, all of Buckhannon, Rocky (Barbara) Smarr of Weston, Debbie (Rick) Gordey of Morgantown, Tami (Dean) Goulet of Camden, NC, and Billy (Tina) Smarr of Hay Market, VA, Marsha Jordan, Terri, Rodney, and Trisha McCray of Hacker Valley, Vicky (Rodger) White of Webster Springs, and Crystal (Josh) Frazier of Jackson's Mills, WV; sisters-in-law: Bernadine McCray of Wildcat, Lucille McCray of Duffy, and Jean Pickens of Weston; two granddaughters-in-law: Nancy Smarr of Buckhannon and Beverly Hinkle of Salem; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many special friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her brother, Larmon Pickens; four grandchildren: Jimmy and Chris Smarr and Scott and Heather Hinkle. Grace was a member of Elijah Chapel United Methodist Church at Bablin, WV and the VFW Auxiliary in Buckhannon. She studied her Bible often and loved her Lord, thanking Him daily for her many blessings. Friends will be received Monday, December 27, 2010, from 1-8 PM, at Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel in Buckhannon where funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at 12 Noon with the Rev. Carl VanStavern presiding. Interment will follow at McCutchen Cemetery near Ireland, WV. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elijah Chapel Church, c/o Shirley Boggs, 101 McCutchen Road, Walkersville, WV 26447.

Virgie (Grace) McCray

December 25, 1918 - December 24, 2010