06/26/1932 – 02/14/2022
Kingstree
Funeral Services
Graveside funeral services will be 2 PM, Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Tisdale Cemetery.
Visitation
Mr. McCrea’s family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall at Central Presbyterian Church following the service.
Memorials
Memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, PO Box 421, Kingstree, SC 29556, or Tisdale Cemetery, c/o Steve Brown, 1112 Central Road, Kingstree, SC 29556.
James Murray McCrea, 89, died Monday, February 14, 2022, at Lake City Community Hospital in Lake City, SC.
Mr. McCrea was born June 26, 1932, in Kingstree, SC, a son of the late James Robert McCrea and Lottie Blakely McCrea. He attended both Cedar Swamp School and Kingstree schools. Murray was a farmer and the owner and operator of Murray’s Tack Shop in Kingstree. He was a founding member of Cedar Swamp Lancing Association and participated in lancing tournaments around the state for many years. Not only was he a knowledgeable horseman, but Murray was also successful at raising and training hunting dogs at his business, Murray’s Kennels. Additionally, Murray planned and hosted an annual trail ride for all of his friends, family and neighbors. He was a member of Central Presbyterian Church.
Surviving Mr. McCrea are: his daughter, Tammy (Billy) Covington of Kingstree; granddaughters, Lisa M. (Mitchell) Zimmer of Arizona, Sandra J. McCrea (Kevin Zaino) of Massachusetts, Ashley M. Greenwood of Connecticut, Amy C. (Chris) Smith of Columbia, Casey C. (Jason) Coker of Florence, and Blakely C. (J.P.) Tepper of Florence; 16 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; a sister, Ada Jean (J.V.) Moore of Georgetown; and his former spouse, Bertie E. McCrea of Pawleys Island. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Uldine M. Boatwright and Iva Nell McCrea, a son, Ronnie McCrea, and a special friend, Betty P. Eaddy.
Special thanks from Murray’s family to the staff at Amedisys Hospice, the Lake City Community Hospital ER staff, and his sitters, Tanya Casselman and Cindy Feagin
Graveside funeral services will be 2 PM, Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Tisdale Cemetery. Mr. McCrea’s family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall at Central Presbyterian Church following the service.
Memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, PO Box 421, Kingstree, SC 29556, or Tisdale Cemetery, c/o Steve Brown, 1112 Central Road, Kingstree, SC 29556.
So sorry to hear this. He will be missed.
A true southern gentleman. Always a pleasure to be around. Will truly be missed by family and friends. May he be greeted by Ronnie in heaven.
So very sorry. Our thoughts and prayers for Mr. Murry’s family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you affected by Mr Murray’s passing. May God comfort you and bring you peace. Love you Tammy
To Tammy and Billy…Tony and I were sad to hear the news. Tony had the opportunity to visit with Murray several times during the past months. I think Tony saw Murray just a couple of weeks ago. Tony always enjoyed his visits with Murray.
Sad to hear of Mr. MURRAY’S PASSING!! HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND WOULD KEEP YOU LAUGHING!! PRAYING 🙏 for the family.
Tammy, I am so very sorry to hear about your Daddy. Mr. Murry was a spunky fellow and I enjoyed seeing him. He will be missed. Sending lots of love and prayers for you and your family.
So sorry to hear about Mr. Murray. He had many friends and I am thankful he was my friend.
Sorry for your loss I always enjoyed talking with him and will never forget the lancing times great memories
THERMON AND I ARE SO SORRY. HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND TO US AND A GENTLEMAN TO ME ALWAYS GIVING ME SOME SUGAR. HE WILL BE MISSED. PEACE FOR THE FAMILY 🙏
Praying for the family during this time. Raymond will always have fond memories and many stories to tell about “Pap”.
Kingstee Will Never Be The Same Anymore Without Mr. Murray! He Definitely Was A Legend, and Only One of A Kind! Thanks To Always Taking Care of Us All, Mr. Murray! We’re All Going to Miss You So Much!
Sending Prayers to Mrs. Tammy & His Family in the Days Ahead! 🙏🏻
My condolences and prayers to Tammy and the family! Murray was very helpful to me in my early days of learning to lance. His encouragement and gentle manner was always a true inspiration! He will certainly be missed!
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Tammy, I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Murray’s passing. I have such wonderful memories of him when I was younger and we would go to Cedar Swamp to visit Papa and Mama. I am sorry I have to work during the funeral, but please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I love you.
Our Sincere Condolences Our Thoughts and Prayers To The Mccrea Family…
Sorry for your loss. Mr Murray kept the girls at the bank sweet with his candy. Missed seeing him.
My family and I are so sorry to learn of Paps passing. My late husband, Larry D. Lee, along with me and our two daughters loved him dearly. He taught Larry so much about horses and shared his gentle teaching wisdom. We always treasured his friendship and admired him. May God comfort you all and give you peace as only He can give. Love and Prayers.
Ada Jean and family, We so sorry to hear of Murrays death. Please know that you and your family are in my and mom’s thoughts and prayers. Vera and Douglas McDaniel