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Hellen McCray Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Hellen McCray
Chase Smith
August 12, 2014
Today is one of those days that Hellen Jean is on my mind very heavy. She knows how much she meant to me all of my life. I miss her dearly. I will always know how fortunate I was to have had her in my life. Love and Miss you!
September 6, 2013
My third grade teacher. 1968. I have been trying to find her. She is well remembered.
Brenda Smith
July 11, 2013
Mrs. O'neal McCray was such an amazing person and teacher to and for me. I wish I had kept in touch. Every time I see or hear ladybug I think of her. I will always remember her for she motivated me to learn my history and I hope to pass that motivation on to our youth.
noah payne
November 3, 2011
i love your book
Regina McCray
May 31, 2010
Sorry the world loss such a beautiful spirit.
April 3, 2010
I will always treasure my friendship with Hellen. I especially appreciate how committed she was to sharing our history with younger students and encouraging them to become more involved with community service and issues. And, she truly wanted to return to the classroom to continue teaching. She was always eager to share our struggle with individuals, at programs and workshops. I remember how impressed and emotional Roger Wilkins was during her presentation 2007. I remember how much she wanted to write a book about the Women Warriors of the Civil Rights Movement. And, I remember how proud she was to observe the growth and caring of her Wilberforce University students after each trip to help individuals affected by the Katrina Hurricane.
The values and concern for social justice that motivated her to become involved with the Civil Rights Movement never left Hellen. Hellen, you are missed.
Alyce Earl-Jenkins, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Megan Jones (Newell)
March 12, 2010
Mrs. McCray was my 3rd grade teacher at Warder Park. She was the greatest teacher I ever had and she inspired me to become a teacher as well. When I was interviewing for a job out of college, they asked me if I had known a special teacher who had influenced my life. Mrs. McCray was always the answer. She was phenomenal in every sense of the word. I loved her so much as a kid that I cried on the last day of school...something I never again repeated. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I feel blessed to have known her.
Joan Mulholland
March 12, 2010
I last saw Helen at the 40th Freedom Rider reunion. In the early '60's we worked together in the CORE/SNCC office in Jackson, Mississippi. I cherish the memory of our shaky singing of "We Shall Overcome" as we rode in the backseat of a car crossing a rough stretch of Louisiana. Now Helen has Overcome. As we mourn, let us rejoice in her memory.
Thomas Armstrong
March 12, 2010
To the McCray Family:
Please accept my condolences on the passing of my friend Helen. Have comfort in knowing that she was such a special person and will never be forgotten.
Ramona Henry
March 7, 2010
Malcolm and Lawrence, Your mother was a unique, courageous lady and I pray that you will instill, in Carley and LoLo, the rich legacy that their grandparents left through their sacrifices and risks not just during the formal "Movement" but until they were unable to physically continue fghting for justice & equality for everyone.
I pray that both of you will trust Jesus Christ to be your help and draw on the many positives that exemplified, not only Hellen's strength, determination and convictions but McCray's also.
My husband & I stand ready to help at any time. I hope the following words help to give you some comfort.
"My strength and Hope is in the Lord
I rest secure in His sure Word
And though I'm tempted to despair
I KNOW I'm kept within His care"
*unknown author*
Marian Jensen
March 6, 2010
Hellen was a wonderful, generous and caring friend. I miss her deeply. We became friends as we worked together at Wilberforce University. I learned a lot from her about African American history.
Malcolm and Lawrence, may you find peace in the memories of your precious mother. To Lawrence Jr., may you find peace in the memory of your sweet and loving grandmother. And to Pam, what a wonderful and supportive friend you have been throughout her difficult illness.
Adrienne Council
March 6, 2010
You were very sweet to me. I enjoyed the last time that I came up there. You make people feel very comfortable. I'll miss you.
Ashley Council
March 5, 2010
You will greatly missed.We will always love you.
jasmine Fodal,mccray
March 3, 2010
helen was my new grandma im very sad about her passing but im happy she may now rest in peace.....
Jimmy Wiley
March 3, 2010
As a classmate of Helen's from the W.A. Higgins High School of Clarksdale, MS, my recollection of Helen goes way back to childhood days. Due to the fact that she was always so pleasant, my memory of her is a pleasant one. I feel that her time on this earth was designed to influence it and leave it better than she found it. To her children, whom I did not know, I say to you, remember the good years and always remember the roll she played in your life and the legacy she left with all those whom she touched and were touched by her.
Her classmate and friend, Jimmy Wiley of Clarksdale, MS
Diane Nash
March 3, 2010
I am surprised and very sorry to hear of Helen O’Neal’s passing. She was one of the young people who worked with my husband, James Bevel, and me in Jackson in the civil rights movement after the Freedom Ride. I knew her as a college-age student. Many students were not interested in working for freedom, but Helen was. I remember her sense of humor and her lovely smile.
Shawn Long, Sr.
March 2, 2010
Malcom and Lawrence, my family will continue to have you in our prayers in this time of sorrow. Take comfort in the knowledge that your parents are together again.
Love you and may the Lord comfort you.
Shawn, Thomasina and Sons
Freddie Greene-Biddle
March 2, 2010
Helen and I met during our work in the civil rights movement. She was a wonderful person. Her family has my deepest sympathy.
Lorine Redditt
March 2, 2010
Dear Malcolm & Lawrence;
Just a note to say that you are in my prayers and thoughts,always remember the love you guys shared,Aunt Jean and I talked all the time about you guys.
Love,
Your Cousin Lorine Redditt
Charles McLaurin
March 2, 2010
Helen was a sister of the human and civil rights movement who kept the faith. My sympathy to the family.
Julius Lester
March 1, 2010
I knew Helen briefly during the summer of 1964, and I wrote about her in my book, Search for the New Land. Although I knew her for a very short period of time, I've never forgotten her, which is a testament to the wonderful person she was. I took some photographs of her which I think captured her spirit, and I uploaded one to this site. Please accept my condolences on her passing.
Helen, Summer 1964, Photo by Julius Lester
March 1, 2010
Beth Hunt Neville
March 1, 2010
She was one of my favorite teachers at Jefferson. She was a wonderful lady. I know she will be missed by her family and friends!
Euvester Simpson
March 1, 2010
To Helen's family and friends:
I was sadden and shocked to learn of Helen's passing. I met Helen more than 40 years ago when we were both involved in the civil rights movement in Jackson, MS. I was looking forward to seeing her at the annual conference of the Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement later this month.
Two years ago she attended the conference and we were able to spend time together catching up on each others lives.
Helen will be sorely missed by so many people who knew her. I hope that you will find peace and comfort in knowing that she left this world a better place than she found it.
Love and Peace,
Chiquana and Robert Hancock (Campbell)
March 1, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
D Scott Long MD
March 1, 2010
Malcom and Lawrence God is with you. Your mom and dad are together again in peace!
Love, Don, Jaye (Jacintha) and Daughters
JoEthel Prather
March 1, 2010
Helen was my first playmate, classmate from First through Twelfth Grade, and most importantly my cherished friend!
In Clarksdale, our families lived in a duplex and we shared the same front porch. We had so much fun playing together. I remember that one of our first lessons taught by our parents was that we had to share with each other and not be selfish. We shared toys, played with dolls, paper-dolls, and jacks. We had fun playing hopscotch, jump rope. But, most of all playing in the huge sand pile by Bomber's Lumber Yard. Helen and I shared a unique bond. We were both like sisters.
Not only were we great playmates, we both attended school together. Helen and I were in the same class, First through Third Grade at Immaculate Conception Parish School. We then attended Myrtle Hall Fourth through Sixth Grade. Seventh through Twelfth Grade at W.A. Higgins High School. At Higgins High, our bond remained close as we participated in the marching and concert band. Helen played the triupmpet.
I will cherish the time and memories that we shared. Helen will be missed by us all and my prayers are for her two sons as well as for the rest of her family. We will see Helen again in that "Glorious Getting Up Morning"!!
February 28, 2010
MALCOMN AND LAWRENCE, MAY YOU FIND PEACE IN THE MIST OF YOUR STORM.BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER AND LEAN ON THE LORD GOD. IT MIGHT BE ROUGH NOW, BUT THINK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD TIMES YOU HAD.
Joan C. Browning
February 28, 2010
In 1960, the U.S. Census Bureau counted 17,900,000 African American citizens. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled racial segregation in public transportation across state lines unconstitutional, none of them could sit anywhere they wanted on trains and busses in the South, nor could they use lunch counters or restrooms in train stations and bus depots. They could not share a seat on a train or bus or lunch counter with any of the other 179,323,175 Americans. Over my dead body if necessary, Freedom Riders said. In small groups dedicated to nonviolently resisting evil, they bought tickets, boarded busses and trains and left the safety of home to plunge into the heart of Southern segregation. Jailed, beaten, abused in inhuman ways, the Freedom Riders persisted. They took down those “whites only” and “colored” signs. As Diane McWhorter later wrote, the Rides seemed to be “one of history’s rare alchemical phenomena, altering the structural makeup of everything they touched.”
Few Americans chose to be Freedom Riders. The best list names 436. Nineteen year old Jackson State College sophomore Hellen O’Neal [McCray] was arrested and tried and jailed along with Freedom Riders.
The 40th Freedom Rider reunion in Jackson, Mississippi, had a space to talk about women. My 15 minute speech was whacked down to 2 minutes – the preceding speakers, all men, had used up all the time. Never mind, we said. And so through the two days, we women Freedom Riders held our own sessions – on busses, at receptions, over coffee. Another woman who didn’t make the official Freedom Rider roster, Mary Sibley Little-Vance (Atlanta Constitution columnist Celestine Sibley’s daughter), didn’t make the official Freedom Rider roster. She was in Montgomery ready to board a bus for Jackson when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told her that she was too young. Mary did get herself arrested picking up her friend, Margaret Leonard, the first blonde, blue-eyed white female Southern Freedom Rider. With Rose Gladney, a southerner born too late to go Freedom Riding, and others, we talked about those days. We talked about how our mothers never raised us to go to jail, but did raise us to know evil and to stand against it. Above all, we had that quiet satisfaction of knowing that when the call came, we answered.
Even in the Freedom Rider group, young people and women were in the minority. Only a fourth of the Freedom Riders were women and a fourth and fastened again that special bond, we realized that we who were brave when we were young grew to be bold women.
Helen O’Neal McCray’s passing shortens the always brief Freedom Rider roll call. She will be sorely missed at the 50th Freedom Rider reunion next year. You will always be present in our hearts, dear Helen. May learning that she held a special place in the hearts of all Freedom Riders bring to her family a measure of solace.
kathryn oneal-flowers
February 28, 2010
may you rest in peace my sister, i,ll allways love you and miss you...sisterkatie
Karen Penry
February 27, 2010
Helen was one of my first teachers at Antioch University. I decided not to follow my suggested class schedule and opted to take her class on African American Writers History. It turned out to be one of my most memorable classes I have ever taken. I was awed by her stories and could have listened to her talk forever. At the end of the quater she invited our class to her home so we could present our final projects and have wonderful food and drinks. I loved it! We were all made to feel at home while we shared our projects. She was one of lifes great teachers and I will miss her deeply. My condolences to her family. Karen Penry
February 27, 2010
To the family of Helen Jean O'Neal-McCray
Helen was truly a dear and trusted friend, classmate and sister in Christ. I will truly miss her beautiful smile and hardly laugh. We grew up together in Clarksdale, Mississippi and kept up with each other at all times. I loved Helen and my love continues for her sons and most of all her dear and wonderful friend, PAM. May GOD bless and keep each of you in his care.
Eunese Liggans-Reed
Clarksdale, Mississippi
contact me
Marva Davis Boswell
February 27, 2010
To the family of Helen O'Neal McCray,
I taught at Warder Park(Springfield City Schools) with Helen. Her classroom was next to mine. I have so many pleasant teaching memories of her..... She always wore such nice clothes to school...She always wore the same perfume so that the students would remember her scent.....She always acted like a lady.....She had a wonderful sense of humor....She loved each and every child.....She would make sure that her student did as she told them....Often I would hear Helen laughing in her classroom....She was always busy teaching.... She knew so much about the 60's and the civil rights movement. She was a walking history book..... At Warder Park, before Thanksgiving break, she and her students would always have a Thanksgiving dinner in her classroom. She loved having that experience for them, and they loved it.... IT WAS TRULY AND HONOR TO HAVE KNOWN HELEN!!!!!!..... My heart is sadden today. I will always miss Helen.
Kyra Robinson
February 27, 2010
To Hellen O'Neal-McCray's Family and Friends,
I met Hellen while working at Wilberforce University. She was always such a beautiful and lovely person and was full of so much civil rights and African-American history and knowledge. My thoughts and prayers will be with you in the days and months to come. May God bless you.
Lena Eancheff
February 27, 2010
As a Wittenberg student, I had the pleasure of having one of my field experiences in Mrs. O'Neal-McCray's classroom at the old Warder Park. She was warm, kind, and helpful. I learned a lot from her in the classroom. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Christopher Riley
February 27, 2010
To the family of Hellen O'Neal-McCray:
Hellen and I worked together at Wilberforce. She and I had a wonderful camraderie. She will be sorely missed. She was truly committed to education. Her legacy lives on!
Mary Pearce
February 26, 2010
To the family and friends of Helen,
Mrs. O'Neal McCray was my teacher and advisor at Wilberforce University. I remember her elegance, beauty and patience. She was always dressed so lovely; she never seemed to have a bad day. I remember her eyes, some days green, others gray. I remember the love she had for her husband and children. She encouraged me to live life fearlessly. I love her and will miss her. I do pray that God gives the O'Neal McCray family strength to bear this.
Deepest Regards,
Robyn Anderson
February 26, 2010
Malcolm and family, I am truely sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this emotional and trying time.
Thomas & Lorine Watkins
February 26, 2010
To the Family of Helen Oneal McCray,
Helen was a beautiful person, caring, kind, and sincere in her beliefs. Over the years she made many, many contributions that benefited many and that will live on forever. She will truly be missed and always remembered.
February 26, 2010
I will truly miss my counsin Helen she was and always will be my shero, she was someone that we all could look up to. She fought for what she beleived in and was always there for all of us. May God give her two Son's Malcolm and Lawrence the strength to carry on and make her proud. Love Always, Karen K. Gibbs, Cleveland, Ohio
Karen K. Gibbs
February 26, 2010
I will truly miss my counsin Helen she was and always will be my shero, she was someone that we all could look up to. She fought for what she beleived in and was always there for all of us. May God give her two Son's Malcolm and Lawrence the strength to carry on and make her proud. Love Always,
Dorothy (Dottie) Corbin-Reynolds
February 26, 2010
Mrs McCray was a beautiful person, I worked with her at Washington School and we had a beautiful relationship. She always had a lovely smile. I am so sorry for your loss and I will keep you in my prayers. May God Bless All of you.
Nolan & Joyce Brown
February 26, 2010
Our last visit with Helen (She hugged us, kissed us and said "I love you") that moment,we will always cherish in our hearts! May God Bless You and may your memories bring you comfort!
Kathleen Glover
February 26, 2010
Sorry for your loss. Hellen was a wonderful, knowing soul.
Angelisa McCray
February 26, 2010
Dear Cousins and Family, May we all be strengthened by our precious memories that each of us have shared with Aunt Helen and Uncle McCray over the many years that they both touched our lives, collectively and individually. Though this seems like a very hard time because of the absence of Aunt Helen's physical presence, There is certainly not an absence of her spiritual presence and in that we must take this time to celebrate, rejoice and dance for all of the precious memories we each had with her and with them as a couple. When I remember them, I remember them as ONE being and their LIFE as one has left an amazing mark in this earth and in our hearts; as Heroic Freedom Fighter and as our precious loved ones. So rejoice with me and let us come together and celebrate her life and now her rest. And let us never forget "ITS ALL GOOD!!!" Love you family very much!!! Lisa McCray
Barbara A. Dye
February 26, 2010
To Malcom and Lawrence: I am shocked by this news!Your Mother and I had memorable times together. She was a committed woman to her family, race, social justice and education of children and adults. I will miss her dearly and reminisce of our times we shared.
Michael & Ennie Clancy
February 25, 2010
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
February 25, 2010
What can I say? Words seem meaningless. Hellen, my friend I can only thank you for your guidance and your love. For the laughs and tears; the dance and the celebration of living. You taught me to live life to the fullest...and in death you continue to do so. I have lost one of the dearest souls to ever touch my life. Thank you for the countless of years and memories. I love you dearly.
Maria-Valentine Wright
February 25, 2010
She will be missed. Malcolm and Lawrence I am sorry for your loss
Lavinia Pierson
February 25, 2010
Dear Boys
your Mother was a wonderful caring lady I was her teachers aide at Washington school in Springfield and she was my two boys teacher . I will never forget how she was so much loved by her students because they knew she cared . She will be rememdered fondly by everyone who knew her
My prayers and sympathy go out to you . I lost My Mother on the day her youngest son was born and know your suffering but it will pass in time We never forget them amd know they are in a good place With the Lord
Lavinia e. Pierson
Angela Pierson
February 25, 2010
I am honored to have known Mrs. McCray! She taught my younger brothers in grade school. My Mother also worked as her Teacher's Aide. She was a wonderful loving woman and a dedicated teacher. Her work in Civil Rights helped make this world a better place. In her honor, we must continue her work. I am sad she has passed on. I admired and adored her. My heart goes out to her beloved sons and family.
Angie Pierson
Springfield, Ohio
Ebony Brown
February 25, 2010
Hellen, you were not only my mother's rock but her best friend and a second mother to me. Thank you for being a part of our lives. I know that you are in the arm's of God so there's nothing to worry about now.
Wynette "Nettie" Carter
February 25, 2010
Ms. MCCray was a phenomenal woman. She was my 3rd grade teacher; she not only touched my life as an educator but as a human being. She was very passionate about teaching and always demanded we, her students, do our best. She was a very loving and caring human being; she valued people, her relationships with them and she enjoyed life to the fullest. Throughout the years, we kept in touch and she continued to make a lasting impact on my life. I will miss her dearly. My prayers and condolences go out to her sons, other family members and her extended family. Ms. MCCray was truly a blessing to all of us! I love you Ms. MCCray!!
DeLeana Strohl
February 25, 2010
Hellen was one of the most amazing women I have ever met! She touched the soul of anyone she connected with (which were many). I feel very blessed that she crossed into my life. I will think of her daily. I wish all of her friends and family well during the next few months..her loss is immense. May you find some peace in wonderful memories.
Al (Tuffy) Crawford
February 25, 2010
Hellen is a very special lady in the family. She will always be loved and remembered for her wisdom, caring for others and most of all her love of history that she most graciously shared with others.
Dale Alexander
February 25, 2010
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Dale Alexander
February 25, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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