Christine McCrory

Christine Johnson McCrory was born on July 7, 1943, in Walnut Grove, Mississippi. She was the sixth of seven children born to the late Rueben and Beatrice Johnson. 

At an early age, Christine accepted Christ as her Savior and became a faithful member of Johnson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where her spiritual foundation was firmly rooted.

Christine attended Johnson School and later Murphy High School. Before leaving Walnut Grove, she was a member of a local singing group known as The Four Roses, alongside several of her cousins. A gifted soprano, Christine shared her love of music by performing at local churches, community events, and radio broadcasts.

Encouraged by her eldest sister, Earnestine, and her youngest brother, Carter—both of whom had relocated to New York City—Christine moved to the “Big Apple” in pursuit of new opportunities. While there, she worked for several years in a physician’s private practice, where her fascination with the medical field deepened.

In 1964, Christine returned to Walnut Grove, where she reunited with and fell in love with her hometown sweetheart, John H. McCrory, Jr., affectionately known as “Jr.” The couple was united in holy matrimony on May 1, 1965, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Wright.

Christine lovingly set aside her dream of becoming a nurse to care for her family. Never losing her passion for helping others, she later pursued work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and retired from Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, after more than twenty years of faithful and dedicated service.

Following her retirement in 2004, Christine relocated to Dallas, Texas, where she joined the Inspiring Body of Christ Church (IBOC). There, she continued to grow spiritually and remained active in faith and fellowship.

Christine had a deep love for children and found joy in listening to the music of Al Green and Luther Vandross. She also enjoyed sewing and was known as an exceptional cook, skillfully blending traditional country dishes with rich Cajun flavors. Despite living away from her hometown, she remained closely connected to her roots, maintaining daily contact with loved ones, including Dottie Donahue (Dimple), Ollie Jo Alexander, and her nieces, Edna Pierre and Sheila Johnson.

Christine leaves to cherish her memory one sister, Irma Jean Childress of Walnut Grove, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

She also leaves five devoted daughters: Chandra Gates of Walnut Grove, MS; Yolonda Turner (Andrew) of Lancaster, TX; Mara McCrory-Jones (Rene) of New Orleans, LA; Stacey McCrory of Dallas, TX; and Gaeyla McCrory of Dallas, TX; a son, John H. McCrory, III. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Brandi Morgan (Marcus) Randy Dockery, Tonii Banks (Duane), Trey McCrory, Tyecha McCrory, Jordy McCrory, Cabrini McCrory, Cody McCrory, and Gary McCrory; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren—all of whom lovingly referred to her as “Momma,” never Grandma.

Christine was preceded in death by two grandsons, Christopher McCrory and Alexander Burton IV.

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