Mayo, FL - Clarence Edward McCray, Jr. was born on October 2, 1933, in the Brush Hammock of Mayo, Florida and died peacefully not far from there in an ancestral home of his wife Kathy Walker McCray on July 18, 2025.

Edward was the first son of Clarence Edward and Leona Jackson McCray. He excelled in academics and received multiple degrees from the University of Florida and Valdosta State University. Edward married EvaMurl Chauncey on his birthday in 1954. The marriage lasted until EvaMurl's passing in 2000. Edward and EvaMurl had three children: Donna, Rita and Eddie.

As in his life, Edward's career sprouted from humble beginnings and grew to spiraling heights. His career in education began as a schoolteacher and librarian in Mayo. He later served as a school administrator in both Florida and Georgia. Eventually Edward became superintendent of a school system in Tifton, Georgia with well over 7,000 students and 1,000 employees. As a testament to his integrity and work ethic, Edward became what was at that time the longest serving superintendent in Tift history.

After the passing of EvaMurl, Edward moved back to Mayo and married Kathy Walker on May 10, 2002. The addition of Kathy and his stepson Matthew Boatright to Edward's life kept him active and full of life to the very end. His love of hunting, fishing, gardening and mowing never left him. Edward was a member of Airline Baptist Church. He faithfully attended Luraville Baptist Church for the past 14 years. At Luraville Baptist, he taught Sunday School and rarely missed a service.

Edward is survived by his wife Kathy and stepson Matthew; brother Lamar and his wife Betty; sister-in-law Marion McCray; brother-in-law Roscoe Chauncey; children Eddie (wife Jennifer), Rita (husband Jim); son-in-law Scott McMahan. Edward is also survived by grandchildren Lauren Duncan, Sean McMahan (wife Eden), John Torell (wife Rachel), Claire Torell (husband Patrick), Sallie Torell, Jackson McCray and Maxx McCray. Edward has surviving great grandchildren Jase and Hill Duncan, Sailor and Finn McMahan and Florence Torell.

Preceding Edward in death are his parents Clarence and Leona Jackson McCray, his first wife EvaMurl Chauncey McCray, his oldest daughter Donna McCray McMahan and his youngest brother Bobby McCray.

Funeral service will be held at Airline Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 22 at 11:00 with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at 10:00 prior to the funeral. The service will be officiated by Brother Ron Russ and Brother Damien Walker. Pallbearers will be Matthew Boatright, John Torell, Sean McMahan, Maxx McCray, Robert McCray and Walker Condy. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Luraville Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Haven Hospice of Lake City, FL.

Friends may sign the online guest book at joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.