Pastor Williette McCraw

Pastor Williette McCraw was born November 22, 1938, in Jackson, Mississippi to the union of Willie and Arlean Catchings. Both parents preceded her in death. Pastor McCraw’s family relocated to North Little Rock, Arkansas when she was nine years old. She graduated from Scipio A. Jones High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She met and married Marvin Jacobs and relocated to St. Louis, Missouri where three children were born to this union. Later she married Leroy McCraw (both of whom preceded her in death)

During her years of living in Missouri, she attended Hancock Business College receiving a degree in Office and Business Administration. She became employed with the Missouri Division of Family Services as a Clerk-Typist. During that time, she went on to further her education, attending Missouri Baptist University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Religion. She also attended Living Word Christian College and received a certificate in Christian Ministry. Pastor McCraw was promoted to Self-Sufficiency Caseworker and was employed there for thirty-one-plus years until retiring in January 2002. During the last ten years of her employment there she conducted a Bible Class and prayer time open to all her co-workers. Many lives were saved, restored, and delivered through that ministry.

Pastor McCraw accepted Jesus Christ at the age of twelve and attended Eighth Street Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas along with her family. In her young adult age, she obtained a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and dedicated her life to serving God and His people. She was a member at Martin Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Will Martin until his demise. She later united with New Bethesda Temple Church under the leadership of Elder Harry and Sarah Carroll where she remained a faithful member for twenty-seven years serving in many capacities of the church. She was ordained as a licensed Evangelist and Minister of the Gospel on August 30, 1987, and later was appointed and consecrated as the Pastor of New Bethesda Temple Church on August 30, 1992, where she served faithfully, the congregation and the community, until July 20, 2002 as God led her to relocate to Irving, Texas. Upon moving to Irving, Texas she united with Dayspring Family Church under the leadership of Bishop Kevin and Pastor Sonjia Dickerson. She served in the capacities of Sunday School Superintendent, Leader of the Foundations of Christian Growth Class, and Member Care Pastor. She remained a faithful member until her death. Pastor McCraw’s passion was teaching God’s word to all who came into her presence.

She leaves to mourn her demise two daughters Tammy Nnamani, Irving, Texas, and Sherry Taylor, Fort Worth, Texas. A son Lee Marvin Jacobs preceded her in death. Two granddaughters, Leah Taylor, Fort Worth, Texas, and Chinasa Nnamani, Houston, Texas, one grandson, Dawon Hicks, St. Louis, Missouri, seven sisters Josephine Caldwell (preceded her in death), Little Rock, Arkansas, Willie Ann (Kenneth) Madden, Lillie Catchings, Chicago, Illinois, Retha Dell Coble, Elizabeth Jean Catchings, Joyce Catchings of Minnesota, Mary Walker (preceded her in death). Two brothers Joe Catchings, Chicago, Illinois, and Jesse Catchings (who preceded her in death). Two special nieces Alicia Caldwell Little Rock, Arkansas, and Maryann Howard, Lake Lauderdale, Florida, and a host of nieces, nephews, spiritual daughters & Sons, and her beloved church family whom she loved very much.

II Timothy 4:7-8, “7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.