Wanda Jean McCray

Wanda Jean McCray was born December 25, 1949 in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of two children born to Doretha and Louis McCray, Jr. On Sunday, July, 24, 2022, Wanda answered the call of the Lord to come to her eternal home to rest at the age of 72 under hospice care. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized at New Zion Baptist Church by the late Reverend A.L. Davis, Jr. As a child growing up in church, she was involved in Sunday schools, children’s choir, the Baptist Training Union, Vacation Bible School, Youth Encampment and Worship Services. She was a graduate of Walter L. Cohen Senior High School and later enrolled at Southern University at New Orleans. Wanda was employed at Louisiana State Employees Retirement System for 25 years via Charity Hospital and Delgado College in key punching and computer technology. Her very first job was at the Times-Picayune in the circulation department. She was preceded in the death by her mother, Doretha Santiago McCray; her father, Louis McCray, Jr.; her paternal grandparents, Viola King McCray and Louis McCray, Sr.; her maternal grandparents, Evelyn Williams Santiago and Marcel Santiago, Sr.; her uncles, Jerry McCray, Willie Pollard, Fermin Santiago, Freddie Santiago, and Marcel Santiago, Jr. Wanda leaves to celebrate fond memories: her devoted sister, Cynthia Marie McCray; niece, Tiandria Lewis; nephew and godson, Orlin Lewis; two great nieces, Tatum Lewis and Talyn Ward; one aunt, Pearl Santiago Lockett; godson, Marcel Santiago III, Shavonne Montana, Jasmine Montana, Tevin Montana, Stephanie Montana, Jordyn Montana, Evelyn Santiago, Freddie Santiago, Jr., Miriam Moore, Cheryl Stewart, Albert Santiago, and Ronald Santiago. She is also cherished by her faithful friends; Karen Brown, Roselyn Pointer, Cindy Pearson, Rose Hickerson, Doan Marie Bernard, Omaira Eden, Kern Robinson, Cabrina England, Trenita Mack, Larry Williams, and many others. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125, on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:30 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. For the health and safety of all, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, everyone in attendance is asked to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. Internment: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook.

Wanda Jean McCray

July 24, 2022