Gayle McCray Howard

Gayle Darnette McCray Howard was born on July 25, 1960, in Horry County, South Carolina, to the union of Willie James McCray  and Mary Williams McCray Hicks. On Friday, February 6, 2026, Gayle Darnette McCray Howard completed her earthly labor and entered into God’s eternal reward. 

She received her early education at Bucksport Elementary School, Conway Junior High, and Conway High School. Gayle was employed by Conway Nursing Center, Anvil in Aynor, and AVX in Myrtle Beach. 

Gayle was a member of Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church and was previously a long-time member of Jerusalem Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Bucksport, SC, where she served on the Usher Board. 

Her parents and seven siblings, James LeVester "Billy Boy" McCray, Cynthia McCray Jones, Sidney Lowell McCray, Gracie Bell McCray, Lottie (Ann) Hicks, Thomas Hicks, Jr., and Diane Hicks preceded her in death. 

Surviving are her beloved son, Lathria Cortrell  (Sheree) McCray, Sr. of the home; her former husband Claude Howard; her dear five grandchildren, Tyrek Weaver, Zikiem Weaver, Lathria McCray Jr., Tyrea McCray, and Nevaeh McCray; her dear great grandchildren, Jaylen Weaver and Alaïa McCray;  four brothers, Herbert (Lizzie) McCray of Bucksport, SC, Leslie McCray of Bucksport, SC, Larry (Kim) McCray of Conway, SC, and Reginald (Sharon) McCray of Bucksport, SC:  three sisters, Jacqueline Weaver of Conway, SC, Carolyn Henry of Bucksport, SC, and Patrienna (Charlie) Greene of Jacksonville, FL; she leaves seven additional sisters, Dorothy Hicks, Gardenia (James) McCray, Theopia (Issac) Goss, Trudell (Tyrone) Dease, Vicky (Randy) Hunt, and Nichelle Tucker; two aunts, Celia  Bell Nichols and Pearl Williams; one uncle, Matthew Holmes; along with a host of nieces, nephews, loving cousins, friends, Class of 78, and her long time best friend, Linda Days Moultrie.

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