John W. McCrae

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, Mr. John Willie McCrae of 1229 W. Wythe St., Petersburg, Va., departed this life at the residence of his niece after a brief battle with cancer.

John was the son of the late Tom McCrae Sr. and Rebecca Williams McCrae. He was a native of Bennettsville, S.C., and later moved to Petersburg, Va. John was a jokester and full of fun.

He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Bessie Mae Spears, Daisey Mae Ridges and Alice Drayton; and brother, Curtis McCrae.

Left to cherish his memories are a son, John Hargraves, and a daughter, Quantina Hargraves, both of Petersburg, Va.; two grandchildren, Quantaesha Hargraves and Matthew Hargraves, both Petersburg, Va.; sisters, Shady Wright, Doretha Brown and Corrie Thomas, all of Petersburg, Va., and Arnetha Peterkins (George) of Bennettsville, S.C.; brothers, James Brown (Muriel) of Brooklyn, N.Y., James McCrae (Janie Mae) of Bennettsville, S.C., Tom McCrae Jr. (Chantay) of Petersburg, Va.; one uncle, Roosevelt Williams of Bennettsville, S.C.; a host of nieces and nephews, among them devoted, Eva "May-May" Ridges and Angela Taylor, cousins, other relatives and friends, among them devoted friends and caretakers, Arthur Starkes, Elizabeth Gilcrest, Michael Ridges, Angela Johnson, Randy Ward and Mr. Charlie Moody.

A special thank-you goes out to Crater Community Hospice and his nurse Ms. Susan Stowe and The Rev. Graham Patterson.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2009, at the chapel of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, Elder James Clarke, pastor of Power of Praise Bibleway Church, Hopewell, Va., officiating.

The family will receive friends at 1229 W. Wythe St., Petersburg, Va., and may be contacted by calling (804) 722-1647.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. McCrae online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com, where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.