Clara Pearl McCray's Obituary
Big Rapids - Clara Pearl (Schwab) McCray, 88, loving wife of Melvin, passed away surrounded by her family, Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
She was born February 27, 1933, in Murfreesboro, TN, the 4th of 6 children born to John and Hessie (Stacy) Armstrong.
In her forties Clara moved to Big Rapids and enrolled in Ferris State College to become an attorney, but along the way fell in love selling Real Estate, and the town of Big Rapids. She received her bachelor degree in Paralegal Studies with honors, became a real estate broker and opened up her first real estate company; Concept 1 Realty approximately 42 years ago. Clara's paralegal training enhanced her serving sellers, buyers, investors, and student rentals. She became well known, respected, and loved by everyone that knew her.
Of her many accomplishments, Clara excelled as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Honesty, hard work ethic, thoughtfulness, kind-hearted, compassionate, loving, supportive are some of the qualities that best describe her. But the quality that stands out to all, is her ferocious protection of those she loved, matched by her intelligence.
Clara is survived by her husband Melvin; her children, Deborah, Terry, Tom, and Tim; ten grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren that love her dearly. She was preceded in death by her son David Michael Abela.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 11, 2021, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Ted Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Plains Cemetery. Clara's family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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