Elizabeth "Betty" McCray

     Elizabeth (Betty) McCray, 92, of Warfordsburg, PA went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 19th, 2024 at the Doey's House with her family by her side. 
     Betty was born on November 19, 1931 in Needmore, PA.  She was one of seven children of the late Bretherd J. Mellott and Lola G. Ream Mellott.
     Betty was of Christian faith and was a lifelong member of the Pleasant Ridge Church of the Brethren in Needmore, PA.  She married Robert M. McCray on June 29, 1950.
     Betty is survived by one daughter, Rhonda Younker and husband Wayne of Warfordsburg and one sister, Linda Clark and husband John of Greencastle, PA.  Two grandchildren, April Hiller and husband Glenn and Lance Younker and wife Carri, five great grandchildren, Lane Younker, Jacob Younker, Lydia Hiller, Jillian Hiller and Mia Hiller all of Warfordsburg.  In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by five siblings, Eloise M. Mellott, Lucille A. Knepper, Hillis R. Mellott, Jeniene M. Carter and Max E. Mellott.
     Betty loved serving the Lord.  In her early years, Betty sang in a quartet with her husband Bob, her sister Linda, brother Max and sister-in-law Eileen.  She also was part of the group, The Tonoloway Ramblers, along with Delmar Mellott, Melvin Everetts and Lloyd Smith.  In her later years, she sang with the Pleasant Ridge Quartet, with her husband Bob, sister Linda, Gary Truax and on occasion was accompanied by Mike Kligerman on guitar.  She also loved teaching the adult Sunday School class at Pleasant Ridge Church.  There were two areas of her life so important to her that she would not compromise with, spending time in God's Word and her prayer life.  Her friends called her a "prayer warrior", because of her fervent desire to lift up others to God in prayer.
     She loved working in her garden, not only raising fruits and vegetables to can and freeze for winter but to give to friends and family.  One of her many talents was growing beautiful flowers that she loved to arrange and adorn the church on Sundays.  She had a natural talent for arranging bouquets of flowers and every Sunday, husband Bob, would be carrying vases of flowers into the church.  In addition, Betty was a good cook and baker.  Many a wonderful meal was enjoyed at her house to include homemade bread and delicious desserts such as raisin filled cookies and raspberry pie.  She would always make a freezer of homemade ice cream to celebrate a birthday or that she and Bob would take when they visited a shut-in or an elderly friend.
     Betty loved to go fishing with her friends, Thelma Mellott and Delphine DeShong.  Fishing was one of the few things that she would stop working to do.  And for reasons unknown, she also wore white jeans when she went fishing.  It was always a mystery to the family, but maybe they were her lucky jeans.
     If you knew Betty and had ever visited her home, you know everything had to be in its place.  She kept a clean, organized home and believed in completing tasks to perfection.  She expected no less of those around her as well.  It was of utmost importance to her to always look her best.  Even on the last day she left her home for the last time.
     In summing up Betty McCray's life, she was a strong willed, resourceful, hard working woman who loved the Lord, her husband and her family with all her heart.  I can only imagine the reunion that took place on the morning of February 19 when she again was reunited with her husband Bob, who she missed dearly and longed to be with.
     A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM at the Pleasant Ridge Church of the Brethren in Needmore, PA with Pastor Roger Truax and Pastor Mac Miller officiating. 
     Interment at Pleasant Ridge Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Needmore, PA.
     Arrangements were made by the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home, Inc., McConnellsburg, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.howardlsipes.com. 

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