Troy Mildred McCray

Troy was born January 23, 1964, in Newark, NJ, at Beth Israel Hospital, to Edward Jr.

and Yvonne McCray. Troy was a die-hard for her Newark heritage and roots. In 1967, Troy's

family moved to Plainfield, New Jersey, where she began her schooling. Troy had a big

personality and an even bigger heart. Her #1 passion was working with kids. She always

believed in advocating for the underdog and those not in a position to stand up for themselves.

Troy had a love for singing; throughout her schooling, she participated in many talent shows.

She also was class president several times throughout her primary education. She was a

graduate of the "illustrious" Class of 1982, the 2nd thing she was most proud of. She then went

on to attend Union County College for a year, then Virginia State University. In 1984, Troy

moved to Virginia to care for an aunt. While there, she began working at the Shipyard in

Portsmouth, Virginia, for three years. Troy had a love for helping people. In 1987, she began

working for Keystone Community Center, a facility for special needs adults. She later moved

back to her roots, New Jersey. She began working at Boys Town, a facility for adolescents with

behavioral challenges. She continued on and worked her way in a nonprofit organization called

New Horizons. There, she began working as the Director of the 1st co-ed adolescent inpatient

facility, developing the program from the ground up. Years later, she obtained her certificate for

Home Health Aide and medicine license. She worked in several nursing homes. In 2000, Troy

moved back to Plainfield to care for her mother. That year, she was blessed with the gift of life

and her greatest accomplishment, her son, Dante. As a single parent, she raised him to be the

man he is today. It was her and him against the world. They had a "Ride or Die" relationship, her

favorite phrase. She was a "Proud and Glowing Mother." In 2002, she began working for

AmeriCorps. She was placed in the Plainfield District School System. At Maxson Middle School,

she developed an after-school program for at-risk young females named "Young Sistas," the

acronym being Sisters Intertwined Seeking Towards Aspiring Success. She was very proud of

this program, and it was a success. Several of the young women stayed in contact, even up to

the present. One very special young woman became her goddaughter. In 2006, Troy's last

employment was working for Potomac Geriatric Center in Green Brook, NJ, an assisted living

facility for adults. Shortly after, she became ill and had to go on disability due to renal failure.

Troy leaves behind her pride and joy, her son, Dante McCray; a precious gem, her goddaughter,

Bianca Brown; a brother, Craig McCray; an aunt, Terry Pierce; an uncle, Tommy (Abdul

Musawir); a host of cousins (her Newark family); several great friends who were always there-

Ronnie Taylor, Niecy Brodie Cummings, Lorraine Gillette, Regina Hannah, Tara Purnell, Patti

Kreitner, Renee Malone, Larry Embry and her Netherwood family; and a host of nieces,

nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Troy was preceded in death by her parents,

Edward and Yvonne McCray, and brother, Gregory McCray