Mrs Kathryn June McCray

We lost Kathryn our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend. The world has lost a beautiful kind soul and heaven gained a new angel. Kathryn now joins her parents, sister Shirley, Grandma McCray, and other beloved family and friends who have passed.

Mrs. Kathryn June McCray, age 80, of La Mesa, California passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, August 29, 2021.

Kathryn was born to the late Theirl and Winnie Puckett on May 15, 1941 at the Lewis Clinic in Granite, Oklahoma. In 1942, during World War II they moved to Richmond, California so her daddy could work in the shipyards. After the war in 1945 they moved to Los Angeles, California before moving back to Oklahoma again in 1949.

Growing up, most of her childhood was spent on a farm in Lake Creek, Oklahoma picking cotton, milking cows, feeding the animals and loving her favorite rooster, Ida. She enjoyed playing with her three sisters, Jo Ann, Charlene and Shirley especially in the old vineyard where they would play house. She always remained close with her parents and sisters and loved them dearly no matter the distance apart.

She attended:

Lake Creek School in Lake Creek, Oklahoma.

Kathryn's favorite thing about school was playing basketball. Being as tall as she was, it wasn't a surprise to anyone that she became captain of her high school basketball team.

After graduating from Los Angeles College of Massage and Physical Therapy and receiving her certification on November 2, 1976, she pursued a career in therapeutic massage and opened her own successful practice lasting approximately 40 years. Her experience, passion and gift to heal and help others was extremely rewarding. Many of the clients that she helped became life long friends due to the care they had received from her.

Kathryn also attended Je Boutique College of Beauty and received her diploma in all branches of manicuring on October 24,1980. She loved doing acrylic nails for her clients even though her main focus remained therapeutic massage.

Initially married the late Samuel McCray in 1961 and moved to San Diego, California in 1962.

Kathryn gave birth to three children Ronnie, Phillip and Kimberly. She was always taking care of everyone and was a very selfless and loving mom. Kathryn wanted nothing but the best for her family, even when no one was looking. She enjoyed spending time with her family whether on vacations or staying in. She was a great listener, even when you probably gave too much information, weren't making sense or saying much at all. If you didn't live nearby you could always expect frequent phone calls always ending with "I love you.....love, love, more!"

She viewed life as a series of positive experiences and her optimism was infectious and healing. Most that were blessed to know her, knew that when they would find themselves complaining about something, her response would often be "poof-poof, cancel-cancel" and/or "don't put that out into the universe". When you found yourself in difficult times she'd remind you, "this too shall pass." She was a proud, strong and glamorous lady with the most beautiful thick red hair and smile that could stop a freight train. She was an excellent cook and would set the table so glamorous, it was as if the queen herself was coming. She was kind and a giver at heart, without expectations of rewards or recognition.

She loved and adored all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved bragging about them and showing their pictures to people. There are not enough words to explain how great of a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and friend she was and how much we love and miss her. She was everything to her children and family and she will always be with us and in our hearts.

She was a wonderful, caring, respectful and fun friend to many. Kathryn was blessed with lifelong friends that were considered family to her and her children. She loved her friends and cherished the bonds they had and all the times they spent together.

Kathryn is survived by:

Her sister's: Jo Ann Diamond, Charlene Wilkinson

Her children: Ronnie McCray, Phillip McCray II, and Kimberly McCray-Stewart

Her grandchildren: Kevin McCray, Ashley Shell, Nicole Stewart

Her great grandchildren: Brody, Nolan, Delilah, Brooklyn and Carter

She is also survived by a host of step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends.

Services were held privately with her children

Kathryn June McCray was a remarkable lady that will be missed. There are so many more people she touched and memorable moments about her life. We invite other family and friends to share their stories and pictures on her living memorial site to celebrate her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sorrentovalleychapel.com for the McCray family.

Thank you, mom. We are blessed to have had you in our lives and we will carry you in our hearts forever.

We love you, Love, love and more