Obituary
Ethel J. McRae
1916 - 2010
The journey of life for Ethel J. McRae began January 23, 1916 in Lumberton, North Carolina. Ethel was the second of eight children born to the late John and Bessie McKinnon. She received her early education in the public school system of North Carolina. It was in the city of Lumberton that she met and married the Late Reverend W.L.P. McRae to which four children were born. Being raised in the church, being the wife of a minister was a task that she whole heartedly embraced. Traveling with her husband as he received different charges, she was blessed to have lived in many different cities, Armour, NC, Southport, NC, Coraopolis, PA, and South Bend, IN. Following the death of her husband in 1973, she remained faithful to the church working diligently as a Missionary, Sunday School Teacher and a member of the choir as she had done in the past while working along side of her husband. Sis. McRae had a strong work and education ethic that she instilled into her children. At the age of eighty she went back to school to obtain her GED. And she was gainfully employed at the age of ninety working for Burger King, until she relocated to Huntington, WV in 2005. While in Huntington, she attended the Young Chapel A.M.E. Church and would often visit the Marie Redd Senior Center when her health permitted. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend. Above all, she was a child of God, who not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. On Thursday, October 21, 2010 the journey that began 94 years, 8 months and 28 days ago came to and end as she was called to join her parents, John and Bessie, her husband, Reverend W.L.P., son William Lee McRae and other loved ones who preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memories; Two sons, David (Jean) McRae of St. Paul, MN, Thomas (Jeanette) McRae of Huntington, WV. One Daughter, Surressia Hill of Concord, CA. 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grand children and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services where held at 1:00PM Monday, October 25, 2010 at the Young Chapel A.M.E. Church, with the Reverend ReLoy Gainey, Sr. officiating. Burial will be 2:00PM Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend, Indiana. Alfords Mortuary is in charge of South Bend, arrangements.