Eddie McCRARY

1915 - 2017

McCRARY (Holmes), Eddie Theresa Born June 27, 1915 and died June 12, 2017 just two weeks shy of her 102nd birthday. She fought valiantly to celebrate her next birthday, but was ready to join Jeff, her loving husband of 66 years. Born Edward Theresa Holmes in Soperton, Georgia she was the daughter of the late Clardee and Willa Thigpen Holmes. She later moved with her family to Hazlehurst, Georgia where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Jeff McCrary. Eddie Ree and Jeff married, moved to Orlando for employment opportunities and to begin their new life together. When the U.S. entered World War II, they moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut where they both assisted in the war effort. Soon after, Jeff found work at Marietta Bell Bomber plant later becoming Lockheed. On August 6, 1945, the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, her daughter, Cheryl, was born. Eddie Ree became a stay at home mom. After her daughter entered school, Eddie Ree with her Associate Degree in Business, began working part time as a bookkeeper. Later, she became a Personnel Director at Emory University and then transferred to the Dental School where she worked until it closed. Eddie Ree and Jeff were founding members of Briarlake Baptist Church and remained active throughout their lives. She lived a full rich life, devoting her time tirelessly to her family, church and community. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Heenan; grandson, Chris and his wife, Lilly; great granddaughter, Ava; nieces, Betty Clements and Diane Holmes; nephew, Bob Holmes; five great nieces and nephews; and three great-great nieces. In addition to her parents, Clardee and Willa, of Soperton and Hazlehurst, Eddie Ree was preceded in death by her three brothers, Carl, Dudley and Jack Holmes. The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at A. S. Turner & Sons. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, with Larry Sullivan officiating in the chapel of A. S. Turners with interment to follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. Online condolences may be made at www.ASTurner.com.