Rosie Lee McCray

On July 10, 1941, Lee and Rosie Henry Nelson celebrated the birth of their seventh child, a daughter they named Rosie Lee. She was born and raised in Gurdon, a small yet friendly city; where everybody knew everybody. At a young age she was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost with First Memorial Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Elder R. B. Hatley. Those she touched and those who knew her witnessed her untiring love for God. She was a believer in “treating others, as you would have them to treat you”. Rosie attended Bell High School and always wore a friendly smile. Rosie possessed a strong work ethic and cooking became second nature. She was a soul food “boiling pots” cooking type of woman. “Miss Rosie” as she was fondly called by the students, staff and faculty worked as a cook for several years for the Gurdon Public School District. Her delicious food took Gurdon by storm and the public would often order food from the school cafeteria. Her donuts were an all time favorite and her homemade vanilla ice cream could chill any warm stomach. She found so much joy in cooking and never lost her zeal. On October 8, 1992, she married Harvey McCray and they shared a beautiful life together until his passing. After a day of fun or work one could always find a meal or dessert at her home. To know her was to love her. Her irreplaceable presence will be missed, but her sweet smile, friendly voice and delicious food will never be forgotten. On Saturday, December 27, 2014, she passed into the Lord’s embrace. Those awaiting to meet her in the presence of the Lord are her parents and her husband, Harvey McCray. She leaves an abundance of love and memories with her children: Vinita Sims of Gurdon, AR, Christopher (Eva) Nelson of Gurdon, AR, and Anthony (Andrea) Cunningham of Texarkana, TX; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Braidie Brown of Garland, TX and Gloria McClure of Curtis, AR; three bothers, Otis McKinnon of Compton, CA, Nathaniel Tramble of Milwaukee, WI and Raymond (Doris) Beasley of Pine Bluff, AR; a host of other relatives, the First Memorial COGIC Church family and countless friends. Public visitation will be Friday, January 2, 2015 from 1-6 pm. The family will receive friends from 6-7 pm. Interment will be in Rose Hedge Cemetery. Home Going services Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 12 noon at First Memorial COGIC with Elder Chester Mitchell, eulogist.