Deacon Willie McCloud Major Jr.

Deacon Willie Major Jr. was born in the summer of 1946 on June 10th in Hampton County, South Carolina to the late Deacon and Deaconess Willie and Betty Major. He was the eldest of 14 children, six girls and eight boys. Two of Deacon Major’s siblings, Betty Rebecca Major Warren and Kenneth Major, predeceased him by several years.

With much affection, in honor of his father, Deacon Major Jr., was known to his parents, siblings, and extended family as Willie Jr -- always Willie Jr. “Is Willie Jr there? How’s Willie Jr? We love you, Willie Jr.” But to his many friends, colleagues and acquaintances, Deacon Major was known as Willie. “Hi, Willie, how are you today? I’m calling about Willie’s car repair. Mr. Willie, we have finished the brake work.” To his church, New St. James Missionary Baptist Church, he was known as Deacon or Deac Major as in “Deacon Major will lead the prayer tonight or Deac Major will welcome early arrivals to Sunday School today.”

At home to his wife, Cynthia, of more than 50 years, he was Will and to him she was Cynt. The two of them together were Will and Cynt, never Cynthia, just Cynt--never Willie, just Will—they were always Will and Cynt. To Ryan, their one and only child who sadly predeceased them a year ago, his father was simply “Dad” and sometimes “Pops,” especially when the two of them were stymied by unexpected challenges-- such as breaking away swollen lug nuts from a tire wheel. “Pops, let me do it. Pops, I got this!”

To his grandchildren- no matter their age, Deacon Major was always Grandfather----never Gramps, Grandpa, Granddad or Grandpops, --always Grandfather. “Hello, Grandfather, how are you? What you doin’, Grandfather? Where you goin’, Grandfather? What you cookin’, Grandfather? Let me help you with that, Grandfather. Happy Birthday! We love you, Grandfather."

Willie Major enjoyed fishing, trucking, fast cars, and big, fat motorcycles. He owned a Harley- Davidson motorcycle in his younger years and thoroughly enjoyed it, using it for leisure and private security work.

He also loved fishing. He would go fishing on a moment’s notice at a favorite spot on a canal bank, riverbank, or deep-sea fishing with friends. He enjoyed it all, whether he caught anything or not, fishing was his one and only water sport.

Being the “landlubber” that Will was, he loved driving, just for its sheer exhilaration. More than anything else, Will enjoyed trucking. He was a long-distance trucker for several years and relished every minute of it -- so much so-you would have thought trucking was in his DNA. On a moment's notice, Will would climb behind the wheel of a rig—regardless of cargo-- open-bed or refrigerated containers-- he could drive them all and could turn a tractor-trailer on a dime, while backing the trailer into the narrowest of spaces on any loading dock. He was your man, whether driving the open highways or rattling down country roads. Anywhere a job called for a rig and a load, Willie was ready to go----ready to ride!

Willie excelled in target practice at local shooting ranges. In his younger years, he was a sharpshooter with above-average vision-- better than 20/20. As a sharpshooter, Will could hit anything with a handgun or a rifle. He was also fast and quite the strong man. Consequently, when the trucking industry underwent deregulation, Will left trucking and went into the business of private security with his cousin where he worked for several years chasing bad guys on foot, by car, or by motorcycle. For a short time, he and his partner also opened a teen disco club where Will was in charge of security—their biggest celebrity was Michael Jackson's sister, Latoya Jackson. However, the stress and strain of security got to be too much (primarily for Cynt, as Will would say) and he left behind both the security business and the teen club scene. Willie chose instead to use his trucking skills to manage one of the school district's local tire shops. He enjoyed the independence and responsibility of running his own shop while ensuring the safety of bus drivers and the safe transport of countless children to school and back every day. Will worked with the school district for more than 20 years before an injury forced his premature retirement.

Newly retired, Will shifted his focus to the culinary skills of home cooking and spiritual growth in fellowship with his church. He loved to eat, and if not eating, he loved talking about eating. He delighted in all types of food and so learning to cook healthy meals was a natural segue for him. Returning from fishing, his catch-of- the- day was frequently the main entrée for family dinner that day. Deacon Major enjoyed the responsibilities of being an officer of the church. He loved working with Pastor John Adams, Mother Anthony, Sister Murray, and other church officers and members. As long as his health permitted, Deacon Major was in church, and he “zoomed” the service when he could not be there in person. The church became his second family, his home away from home.

Deacon Willie McCloud Major Jr. leaves to cherish his memory:

Five sisters: Kathleen Forrest (James) of Fairfax South Carolina, Jeanette Goldwire of Clyo, Georgia, Glennie Williams (Marvin) and Runnett Major all of Pineland, South Carolina, and Rosa J. Taylor of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Six brothers: Rudolph Major of Pineland, South Carolina, Marion Major of Varnville, South Carolina, Isaac Major of Pineland South Carolina, Harold Major (Ella) of Estill South Carolina, Minister Anthony Major (Leola) of Ridgeland, South Carolina, and Daryl Major of Clyo, Georgia.

Six Grandchildren: Asia Major of Ocala Florida, Khalif Mentor (Cladia) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bilall Mentor of Phoenix, Arizona, Nduh Major-Angrand (Richard) of Atlanta, Georgia, Eric Mentor (Breanna) of Fort Myers, Florida, and Dea Major of Orlando, Florida, plus two Great-Grandchildren, Eric Mentor Jr and Breylan Mentor of Fort Myers;

Four Sisters-in-law: Vanessa Monroe (Vernon) of Ft Lauderdale, Florida, Yolanda Byrd of Birmingham, Alabama, Donna Griffin and Judy Griffin both of Miramar, Florida, a host of nieces, nephews and other family members, friends, and neighbors.

His glorious son and only child, Ryanel Darren Mason Major, predeceased him on December 25, 2023. Again, may they now meet in joyous embrace and utter jubilation.

Last but not least, Deacon Willie Major Jr. leaves his loving wife, Cynthia, of 53 years to cherish the love and the memories they shared throughout the decades. Willie Major Jr’s life is a life that was well lived. He lived his life his way, on his terms, every day. He was the personification of his name “strong-willed” and spoke his mind without hesitation. Singing along with a sitcom many years ago, he sang out “Cynt, all I want to do is cash my check and drive right home to you. Baby, all my life I’ll be driving home to you” and so he did.

A Greet and Meet gathering for Deacon Major’s family & friends will begin Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service for Deacon Major beginning at 1:00 PM at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home, 3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461.