Obituary of Oneal McCray

O’Neal McCray was preceded in death by his parents David Sr. and Ruth (Gamble) McCray; three brothers: David McCray, Jr., James Wesley McCray and Clyde McCray and one sister Dorothy Sellers. He was born January 5, 1945 in Salters, South Carolina to the late David Sr. and Ruth (Gamble) McCray. O’Neal was the third oldest of six children. O’Neal attended school in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. In 1965, the family moved to Michigan, and in 1968 relocated to Rochester, New York. O’Neal met Audrey at Genesee Hospital. After a short courtship they married on October 19, 1968. To this union three children were born: Olden, Sandra and Dinero. At an early age he joined Jerusalem United Methodist Church in Salters, South Carolina. After relocating to Rochester, New York he joined New Bethel CME Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Raymond Graves and the late Reverend Dr. Weldon Thomas. O’Neal worked at Beechnut Baby Food in Rochester, New York. The family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where he took up a trade in auto-body and fender work as well as painting cars. He enjoyed working on cars, this was his passion. In 1976 the family moved back to Rochester, New York where O’Neal opened his own body shop. Other jobs included Rochester Housing Authority as a security guard and Javen Construction Company as a mason. He faithfully worked there until he became ill and was soon forced into retirement. As his illness worsened, O’Neal was unable to continue to work on cars, so he would get someone to work on the cars and supervise them as he watched. He was a mechanic, body and fender man. He was his own AAA with his own chain. He loved what he did and would help anybody! O’Neal loved his family and they loved him because he had a sense of humor and a joke to brighten up your day. He will be missed. O’Neal was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved to cook, work on cars, fish, hunt and garden. O’Neal was called home on December 25, 2020. He leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife Audrey McCray; his children: Olden (Kimberly) McCray, Sandra Lyn (Anthony) Manning, Dinero (Latisha) McCray, Sasha Santiago and adopted son Daniel Washington all of Rochester, New York; sister Ernestine (Charles) Brown; brother William McCray all of Rochester, New York; aunt Dianna Gamble of Grand Rapids, Michigan; sisters-in-law: Eliza and Margery George; brother-in-law James (Deloris) George all of Rochester, New York; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The McCray family would like to thank all of the nieces and nephews, family and friends for their acts of kindness.