Alonzo M. McCray

Marion Alonzo McCray died on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at Bellevue  Hospital in Manhattan, New York after a short illness. He was 67 years old.

He was born on December 3, 1954 in Bucksport, South Carolina to the late Hannah Gause and the late Thomas McCray Jr.

He was raised by his mother Hannah Gause and his beloved grandmother, the late Mary Sinnie Sumpter Gause whom he called Mama. He was his mother’s only child however, He grew up in a home with eight cousins(6 boys and 2 girls) and all of the cousins interacted as siblings. Alonzo was the second from the youngest child in the household. He was raised in a Christian home and was spiritually guided by his grandmother to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He was a member of Jerusalem Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (church founded by his great grandfather William Gause).

Alonzo was educated in the local school system. He attended Bucksport Elementary  School and he graduated from Conway High School in Conway, South Carolina in May, 1975.

In his youth, Alonzo was a “happy go lucky” young man that found humor in a lot of things. He laughed a lot. He had a quick wit and a ready answer in his verbal exchanges with others. He was smart and a hard worker.

After high school, Alonzo pursued a variety of interests. He worked as a laborer for a while. He later worked as a roofer for many years until he relocated to New York. He later moved to Philadelphia and then back to New York. While living in Philadelphia he worked in environmental services in a nursing home until his health failed.

In the prime of his life, Alonzo was diagnosed with an illness that altered the course of his life. This experience was very disappointing to him. It was very difficult for him to accept the limitations that his illness imposed on him. When he moved from Philadelphia  back to New York he found a treatment plan for his illness that included a support group and he attended it daily. In that program he was given a job to work the snack bar selling coffee and Danish etc. to the group. He enjoyed the work. He also enjoyed walking to his group session rather than riding the bus.

Alonzo was blessed to be loved, mothered, nurtured, supported, and encouraged by his loving Aunt Mary McCray and her family. They provided him a home and family that allowed him to strive and enjoy a good quality of life in spite of his chronic health issues.

He was very generous with his resources. He would give the last of what he had to others. He was kind, loving and very often he was very quiet. He had a likable personality and a warm smile.

Alonzo was preceded in death by his parents the late Hannah Gause and the late Thomas McCray, Jr., his late grandmother, Mary Sinnie Sumpter Gause, his paternal grandparents, the late Thomas McCray, Sr, and Carrie McCray.

Alonzo leave to grieve his death his beloved Aunt Mary McCray and her family, his many loving cousins many of whom love him like a brother, his Aunt Lena McCray, extended family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

Rest in peace Alonzo. Take your rest, we love you, but God love you best.

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