Alease McCraw

ALEASE McCRAW, was known to all whom loved her as “Ma Alease.” She was born on December 8, 1919 to the late Henry and Mary Irby in Blackstone, Virginia. Ma Alease went to be with our Lord peaceably on December 15, 2010 holding the hand of her oldest grandson, Carlton. She was educated in the public school system in Blackstone, Virginia, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland at the age of nineteen. Alease gave her life to Christ over twenty years. After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina with her grandson, she joined Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Waxhaw, North Carolina. She later attended her daughter’s church, Spirit of Faith Christian Center. In 1944, Alease married John McCraw and was married for thirty-seven years until he passed away in 1981. Together they had a family of three, Viola, John (Tiny) and Thelma. Alease worked for GSA in the Federal Government for more than thirty-five years before she retired. In her more active days, she enjoyed bowling, paying pinochle and dancing. She loved to laugh and entertain. She always enjoyed having lots of people around her. She loved cooking and having people around to feed. She always invited people in her neighborhood to come by and “get a plate”. She was a great cook and you could count on her to give you some good spicy food or some good spicy advice! She was not one to hold back on what she thought and was feisty right until the end. She had an excellent memory and was blessed to see and know all of her grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren. She was even able to take a picture with her last great-grandchild who was born on her birthday. Ma Alease was given a precious gift from God, the gift of giving. She was known for giving money, food, clothing and shelter. She absolutely lived to give and loved it with a passion. She had a heart of gold. Everyone hung out at Ma Alease’s house. You could find solace and comfort in tough times there. Though she spent the last three years with her daughter and son-in-law, Smitty in Baltimore, she spent her final hours in North Carolina. Her passing was peaceful and we celebrate that she is now with our Lord Jesus Christ. She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughter’s Thelma Smith and Viola Hawkins; sister, Mary Lee Williamson; son-in-law, Chares Smith; nineteen great-grandchidren and fifteen great-great-grandchilden; and other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Alease McCraw

December 8, 1919 - December 15, 2010