Wilkie Ray McCrimmon

Mr. Wilkie Ray McCrimmon, age 78 of 42 J. McCrimmon Lane, Sanford, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at his residence.

My Life Narrative:  Wilkie Ray McCrimmon

I was born on September 25, 1941. I was raised and lived in Taylor’s  Chapel Community in Chatham County, North Carolina all my life.  I was a
lifelong member of Taylor’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. I served as a trustee of the church from 1972 until my death.  I was Chairman of this ministry for more than twenty-five years.  I was fortunate enough to have been raised by godly parents.  My father, Jack McCrimmon, was a deacon.  He grew the grapes and made the communion wine for many years.  My father built our house with his own hands when he was only fourteen. He built the main rooms first and later, made additions to our home.

He and Mama had married young. My mother, Mrs. Barbara McCrimmon, served as a deaconess and baked the unleavened bread for communion. My sister, Jacqueline, who was my senior by several years, nurtured me her entire life before going off to college to earn a degree in Library Science. She would later work as a librarian in Scotland County. Mama was mostly a housewife; however, from time to time she did public work to supplement the household income. They were my role models; my road map to Christ.  I learned that good, strong fellowship among the brethren is necessary for Christ’s church to flourish.  Each member is to be cherished and edified, no one more valuable than the other, from the youngest to the oldest. In 1971 my father died in his sleep, and my Mama followed him in death two years later.  At the close of the seventies’ decade, my sister Jackie also
went home to be with the Lord.

  I attended a Chatham County School, J.S. Waters in Goldston, North Carolina.  I graduated in 1959.  I excelled in baseball and softball. I was considered a standout pitcher. Many people expected that my pitching skills were my ticket to the big time, but I threw my arm out. I loved high school, cherished my friends, and kept them my entire lifetime. Some of my fondest memories from that time period include driving my yellow and black Mercury.

I worked in the local industry from my high school graduation up until the time I retired in 2003 from G.K.N. Automotive Components, Inc. I had been taught to accept responsibility and to know that a man must work to eat. I earned a lot of bonus pay for working entire years having taken no unscheduled leave.

 I was married to the former Annie Rose Taylor in 1969 for forty-five years. We had two children; Cicily Anne and Daniel Ray. We have five grandchildren: Samuel Reuben, Daquan, Jaden, and twins Aubrey Jackson and Lillian Rose.  My heart belonged to God, family, friends, good food and Pepsi-Cola. 

 I departed this life suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday evening, June 20th after having enjoyed our family’s Juneteenth dinner on Friday. Little did I realize it would be the only one I would ever participate in. 

 I leave behind my beloved:  former wife, Annie Taylor McCrimmon, children, Cicily Anne (Anthony Staley) and Daniel Ray (Prissy Young and Jakias Fuller); grandchildren, Samuel Reuben, Daquan, Jaden, Aubrey Jackson, and Lillian Rose.  Sisters-in-law, Ernestine McIver (James) of Sanford, N.C., Doretha Headen (Gregory) of Greensboro, N.C., and a host of other nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.  I would like to say a final farewell to my very close friend, Brother Raymond Goldston, who provided enduring friendship, unending transportation, and hours of good laughter and conversation. To those who remain, Godspeed until we meet again.

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