Clarence Edward McCray, Jr. was born on Oct. 2, 1933 in the Brushy Hammock of Mayo, Fla., and died peacefully not far from there in an ancestral home of his wife Kathy Walker McCray on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Edward was the first son of Clarence Edward and Leona Jackson McCray. He excelled in academics and received multiple degrees from the University of Florida and Valdosta State University. Edward married EvaMurl Chauncey on his birthday in 1954. The marriage lasted until EvaMurl’s passing in 2000. Edward and EvaMurl had three children: Donna, Rita and Eddie.
As in his life, Edward’s career sprouted from humble beginnings and grew to spiraling heights. His career in education began as a school teacher and librarian in Mayo. He later served as a school administrator in both Florida and Georgia. Eventually, Edward became superintendent of a school system in Tifton, Ga., with well over 7,000 students and 1,000 employees. As a testament to his integrity and work ethic, Edward became what was at that time the longest serving superintendent in Tift history.
After the passing of EvaMurl, Edward moved back to Mayo and married Kathy Walker on May 10, 2002. The addition of Kathy and stepson Matthew Boatright to Edward’s life kept him active and full of life to the very end. His love of hunting, fishing, gardening and mowing never left him. Edward was a member of Airline Baptist Church. He faithfully attended Luraville Baptist Church for the past 14 years. At Luraville Baptist, he taught Sunday School and rarely missed a service.
Edward is survived by his wife, Kathy, and stepson, Matthew; brother, Lamar and his wife, Betty; sister-in-law, Marion McCray; brother-in-law, Roscoe Chauncey; children, Eddie (wife Jennifer), Rita (husband Jim); and son-in-law, Scott McMahan. Edward is also survived by grandchildren Lauren Duncan, Sean McMahan (wife Eden), John Torell (wife Rachel), Claire Torell (husband Patrick), Sallie Torell, Jackson McCray and Maxx McCray. Edward also has surviving great-grandchildren, Jase and Hill Duncan, Sailor and Finn McMahan, and Florence Torell.
Preceding Edward in death are his parents, Clarence and Leona Jackson McCray; his first wife, EvaMurl Chauncey McCray; his oldest daughter, Donna McCray McMahan; and his youngest brother, Bobby McCray.
Funeral service was held at Airline Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. with interment following. Visitation was at 10 a.m. prior to the funeral. The service was officiated by Brother Ron Russ. Pallbearers were Matthew Boatright, John Torell, Sean McMahan, Maxx McCray, Robert McCray and Walker Condy. Honorary pallbearers were the members of Luraville Baptist Church.
Friends may sign the online guest book at joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.