MS. Joycelyn Evette Mccray

Joycelyn Evette McCray transitioned from this world to her heavenly home on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
On September 10, 1963, in Champaign, IL, the Lord blessed William and Evelyn McCray with a beautiful daughter, Joycelyn Evette, although she was affectionately called Evette by everyone who knew her. The McCray family returned to Atlanta, GA, in 1964 where, at an early age Evette joined Mt. Calvary Baptist church under her godfather the late Reverend Roswell Jackson. She served as an usher and participated in vacation bible school and other youth activities.
Evette was an enthusiastic and advanced learner. She attended Spelman Nursery School followed by Walter F. White Elementary School where she was promoted two grade levels and entered Frederick Douglass High School at the young age of 11. In addition to being an advanced learner, Evette also displayed many talents and performed ballet, tap dance, and played the piano.
As the oldest of her two siblings, it was natural for Evette to achieve many of the "firsts" of her family. In 1968, at the age of 5, Evette came in first place and was crowned Little Miss Georgia in an era when no one ever thought a little black girl in the south would or should be royalty. While this was Evette's first and only pageant, throughout her life she continued to exude brilliance, light, and excellence in all her endeavors and toward everyone she met.
Born with a remarkable combination of beauty and brains, Evette earned the title of salutatorian of the 1979 class of Frederick Douglass High School. She went on to attend Brown University as the first person in her family to attend an Ivy League college. All of this she achieved at the age of 15. While pursuing her independent concentration Bachelor of Arts degree at Brown, Evette was active with her college community. She was a cheerleader for the basketball team, a singer in the Voices of Inspiration Choir and a member of the Cultural Activities Board. Evette also worked in the Office of Financial Aid and was an active member of the Brown University Orientation Committee, where she was responsible for freshman orientation and transition.
In addition to her campus activities, Evette continued to nurture her spirit and faith by attending Congdon Street Baptist Church.In the spring of 1982, Evette became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Iota chapter where she served as Vice President and Leader of the Minerva Circle.After graduating from Brown in 1983, Evette made Providence, RI, her home. There she worked at Old Stone National Bank where she was on a fast track toward management. Evette amassed many friends and participated in numerous civic activities in and around Providence. She was the program manager at City Street and the SBA Small Business Development Center and was a board member of the Elmwood Foundation.
Evette was among the first African Americans to work at Smith Barney in Providence. In Providence she continued to build relationships and foster community through her civic engagement and her passion for community development.In 2001, Evette returned to her Atlanta roots where she reconnected with friends and family. Shortly after her return to Atlanta, Evette became a member of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church family where she volunteered in the church office and worked alongside her mother and other church members in the food bank.Evette was an avid reader who loved a good mystery and books written by J. D. Robb.
She also loved political fodder and was known to enjoy the entire MSNBC daily lineup of shows. She was passionate about the upcoming election and was looking forward to voting this year and witnessing the first woman become president of the United States. Evette will be remembered for starting her mornings with a cup of coffee and a muffin while reading her New York Times and USA Today.Evette loved fiercely and with abandon. She was always the life of the party and made all who came within her presence feel loved and appreciated.
Left to mourn her loss and cherish her memory are her parents, Mr. And Mrs. William H. McCray, Sr. of Atlanta, GA; brother, Dr. William H. McCray, Jr. (Simone) of Atlanta, GA; sister, Attorney Joni McCray Wiredu (Edward) of Laurel, MD; her nieces Evelyn Christina Wiredu of Washington, DC, and Geovanna Melissa McCray of Atlanta, GA; a nephew, Bryan Pecanha of Atlanta, GA; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
We take comfort in knowing that Evette is in heaven with the Lord, family and friends and that she is fine because she's happy.