Andrea Jones McCray

Andrea was born on January 26, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois to Hope and Kenneth Jones.

She leaves behind a legacy of complete dedication to her faith, her family, her studies, and most of all to loving well.

Andréa dedicated her life to Jesus at the age of 12 after being saved at church camp. She often shared that while she was saved then, it was at age 20 that she fully surrendered her life and made Jesus her Lord. At every church service she attended, she could be seen with her arms lifted in praise, worshiping with her entire soul.

At the age of 25 she married Kenneth McCray on June 20, 1987, and together they raised four children. Putting aside her college ambitions, she became a stay-at-home mother and homeschooled her children. She also sang in and managed their family music ministry.

At the age of 60, Andréa returned to her studies at Oral Roberts University. In spite of declining health, she remained a straight-A student and completed her bachelor’s degree this year, earning the praise of her professors. Most of all, she dedicated herself to fully loving every person she came in contact with. Most people who met her will remember that she was the best hugger that ever lived, the world’s most active listener, and one of the kindest souls they had ever known. She taught us to love everyone and to take time to truly see people who others overlook.

Wherever she was, she could often be found giving her undivided attention to someone pouring their heart out to her. She listened without judgment or comment, her only goal being to make the person in front of her feel heard.

May her memory inspire us to feel deeply, to believe completely, and to love unconditionally.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Hope Jones; her children, Catherine and Benjamin McCray; and a grandchild, Judson Caraway.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Kenneth McCray; her children, Jessica (Anthony) Caraway, Samuel (Katie) McCray, Hannah McCray, and Matthew McCray; her brother, Gregg Puvogel; her sisters, Darice Vogel and honorary sister Kim Evans; and her grandchildren, Remington, Jonathan, Avenley, and Lawson Caraway as well as a host of foster grandchildren whom she loved as deeply as her own biological grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 PM, with services beginning at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 17 at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street, with Matt Denton officiating. Burial will follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Fretwell Holiness Church, City Hope Church of Mobile, and Mars Hill Church for their support during this time.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10