Delisa Gail McCray

Delisa Gail McCray was born into the loving family of Lillian and the late Joe McCray at the Naval Base in Great Lakes, Illinois, on April 6, 1960. She was the second of four children. Her father was in the military so the family moved every few years from her birth to high school. The nature of her upbringing taught her many values which included adaptability, resilience, open-mindedness, and close family bonds. Delisa was taught Christian values of faith, love, and charity and she accepted Christ into her life when she was baptized at a young age at Normandy Church of Christ in Los Angeles, California. Most recently, Delisa has been a member of South Eastside Church of Christ in Memphis TN.

Delisa graduated from Fairley High School in 1978. She continued her education at the University of Memphis while being employed at FEDEX. In 1986, Delisa and Anthony Penchion welcomed a baby girl, Ashley. Delisa would become a devoted mother to Ashley as her only child. Delisa was also a dedicated employee spending 35 years working in various departments at FEDEX in Customer Service from Domestic, to International, to Freight. Delisa retired from FEDEX Freight in 2015.

After retirement, Delisa continued working as a caterer with Something Different Catering which was started prior to leaving FEDEX. There, along with her partners, she would wow clients with her unique centerpieces, food, and floral presentations. Later, with the goal of perfecting her skills, she trained at L’Ecole Culinary College where she received a culinary diploma. She also trained at Reece Florist where she received a certificate in floral design. Delisa worked joyfully in this field until she was physically unable to do so.

Delisa was a foodie, and she particularly enjoyed her daughter’s recipes. She also loved listening to music, and spending time with family. Delisa enjoyed monthly family prayer meetings and hearing from the dear friends who kept in touch with her. Throughout Delisa’s seven year illness, she kept her faith in God. She always recognized that the love and care from her mother, daughter, siblings, and close friends was a blessing that not everyone experienced. It was for this reason, she did not complain about the challenges she faced, she was always positive, and she fought to live life the best she could until the Lord took her home on November 7, 2024.

Delisa was preceded in death by her father Joe McCray (El Paso TX), her step father James Bolden (Memphis TN), and nephew Michael Wright (Memphis TN). She will be missed by her daughter, Ashley Penchion and her dad Anthony Penchion (Memphis, TN), her mother, Lillian Bolden (Memphis TN), her sister and brother-in-law, Nina and Matthew Thornton III (Memphis TN), her brothers and her sister-in-law’s, Joseph and Glynda McCray (Cordova TN) and Simeon and Brenda McCray (Lithonia GA); two nephews Joseph McCray Jr. (Memphis TN), and Ryan Thornton (Los Angeles CA); two nieces Jennifer Gordon (DeCarlo), (Southaven MS), and Meagan Thornton (Washington DC); three aunts, four uncles, countless cousins; and, countless friends including her closest friends Dwight Haley, Preston Taylor, Jackie Hart, Cookie Conley, and Carolyn Mason.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the National Kidney Foundation would be appreciated by the family.