Herbert Claiborne McCray

Herbert Claiborne McCray, affectionately known as “Herb”, was born in South Chesterfield, Virginia on December 21, 1943, the second child and only son of the late Mildred Stewart McCray and Floyd Dalphas McCray.  He was predeceased by his parents as well as by his paternal grandparents Lena Brown McCray and Daniel McCray; his maternal grandparents, Carrie Swann Stewart and Joseph Stewart; his first cousin/ “bonus sister”, June Stewart Taylor; his “bonus” daughter, Nicole Hobson, his brother-in-law, Earvin L. Thompson, several aunts and uncles; and by his loving and adoring significant other of 40+ years, Jacqueline “La Verne” Martin.

Herb grew up in So. Chesterfield, VA and attended Kingsland and Bermuda Elementary Schools and Carver High School.  He graduated in the class of 1962 and was the Class President.  He did further study at Virginia State College (now University).  Herb was a bit shy, as a child, and his sister Carolyn would often come to his defense when a classmate would bother him on the playground.

He was also a favorite of his uncles, (Louis and Alfred Stewart), who would also “steal” him away from doing his chores so that he could hang out with them and have fun.  He spent most of his childhood days playing with his cousins, Lawrence and William Swann.

In 1962, Herb met Doris Graves at Virginia State College. One of their early dates was attending the Virginia State College ROTC Ball at the suggestion of Herb’s sister, Carolyn.  Doris would later become Herb’s wife, and in 1969, after having relocated to the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, they had their first and only child, Brian Patrick McCray, whom they adored.

Herb was especially proud of his son’s career accomplishments.  He also found great joy in the long telephone conversations he often had with his beloved granddaughter Angel.  

Herb worked for the US Postal Service, Main location, in Washington DC.  Later he was employed at LabCorp in Northern, VA, as a manager.  He retired from LabCorp after 38 years of employment. He became bored and decided to accept a part-time position as a “traffic producer” at WUSA TV Channel 9, a CBS affiliate in Washington, DC. 

Herb lived life to the fullest and had an infectious laugh, a great sense of humor and quick wit! He loved to have fun and be in the company of friends and family.  He was a jazz and blues enthusiast who enjoyed attending jazz and blues festivals. He also loved dining out (especially eating crabs), attending plays and concerts, and traveling throughout the U.S. and other countries. Another favorite of Herb’s was his sister’s tuna salad sandwiches.  He often called her and asked, “Do you have any tuna”?  He would eat one sandwich while visiting her at her home and take another one with him and would eat that before he arrived at his home.  Herb also loved trivia and often cited little known facts about all sorts of interesting topics and subjects.  

Herb truly cherished the time that he spent with his son Brian and daughter in-law Tanya. He loved sitting on their deck to watch the wildlife play on the edge of the creek that runs behind their home. Every time he came to visit, he would say “What are the animals doing on my favorite creek?” Herb loved communicating with his “adopted” family which included Stan, Barbara, Kristin, and Kelly Pawlowski and traveling to their home in Hilton Head, SC with his significant other, La Verne. He especially loved having an occasional Martini with Stan on the deck of their home. Herb also enjoyed visiting with La Verne’s friends and former neighbors within the Fall River Terrace Community on 34th Place in Washington DC. 

Among his other passions were volunteering at the annual NASCAR race in Savanah, GA, with Stan Pawlowski; shopping for unneeded bargains at Marshalls  TJ Maxx, Target and Walmart many of which became surprise gifts for his friends and family; driving around the Washington Metro area, sometimes stopping to observe the planes taking off at Reagan National Airport; hanging out with his special group of friends and neighbors at his apartment complex, and watching his favorite TV programs such as Jeopardy, NFL football and reruns of “Sanford and Son”.

Herb was a man of faith, who, along with La Verne, was an active member of Trinity AME Zion Church in Washington, DC. He truly loved the congregation at Trinity AME Zion, so much that he served on several committees and was known to volunteer and assist in any capacity. Some of these committees were as follows: a dedicated and committed member of Class #1, honorary member of the Melda Martin Student Financial Aid Committee (MMSFAC), participated in plays and productions to raise funds for the MMSFAC, active in the Couples Ministry, frequently participated in giving the Welcome to Visitors in the church, Share Program (food donation), Helping Hand Ministry, Greeters Ministry, “Trinity Taste of the States” church fundraiser, served as Master of Ceremonies for numerous church functions and participated in theatrical Christmas and Easter Programs.

Herb had a southern style personality and never met a stranger he didn’t like.  He was genuinely affable and warm with anyone and everyone he met.  He often greeted people with a big hug, instantly making them feel safe, secure and loved.  Once you became Herb’s friend, you would become a part of his special circle and remain there as a cherished friend forever.

Herb leaves to cherish his sweet memory, his loving son, Brian (Tanya) of Laurel, MD; his loving granddaughter, Angel McCray of Orlando, FL; his loving and devoted sister, Carolyn McCray (McElvene) Thompson of Reston, VA; his former wife, Doris Graves McCray of Columbia, MD; his nieces, Lisa McElvene Copeland (Anthony) of San Antonio, TX and Traci Taylor Huffman (Kenneth) of Round Rock, TX, who cherished him; a loving and devoted cousin/”sister”, Judy Swann Coleman of So. Chesterfield, VA; a “bonus” sister, Florence Brooks Burnley of So. Chesterfield, VA; his “bonus” daughters, Kristin and Kelly Pawlowski of Hilton Head , SC; his “bonus” brothers and sisters, Stan and Barbara Pawlowski of Hilton Head, SC and Tracy and Brenda Hobson of Columbia, MD; former brothers-in-law, Mark Graves (Alfreda) and R. Leon Graves (Annette); and a great friend and neighbor James Lucas of Alexandria, VA.

Herb was a strong, vibrant man who impacted everyone he met and touched so many in his life with his warmth, kindness, and genuine care for others.