Obituary for Wendell Willard McCraw Wendell Willard McCraw (78) passed away Sunday, September 23, 2018, after an extended illness. The son of Faye Jimison and Jessie McCraw (both deceased), Wendell was born in Laurel, Mississippi, graduated from Glade community School, and attended Jones County Junior College and Louisiana Baptist College on a basketball scholarship. He then served in the Army before starting a 40-year career in public education and coaching.
After moving to St. Augustine in 1969, Wendell taught PE at Orange Street School and coached basketball and football at St. Augustine High School. In 1981, he was named the head football coach and held that position until 1986 when he became the school’s athletic director. He served in that position until his retirement in 2002, capping 33 years of service in St. John’s County.
An avid golfer and sports fan, Wendell could still be seen on the sidelines at SAHS football games until very recently. He was a member of Elks Lodge 829 ant the Men’s Golf Association at the St. John’s County Golf Course. He was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Athletic Complex at St. Augustine High School was recently renamed in his honor.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jackie Lopez McCraw, his children; Charles Young (Karen) of Cape Coral, FL, and Marilyn Young Tatum (Charles). Grandchildren Daniel Young, Allison Young, and Caroline Tatum of Florence, SC. Sisters; Elaine Gavin (Marvin), Linda Christian (Ronnie), Sally Smith (Kenny) of Laurel, MS.
Numerous nieces and nephews, and his dear friend, Tim Forson. He was predeceased in death by his sister Candice Brewer. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018 at Memory Chapel from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Mt Vernon Methodist Church on Saturday, October 6th at 10 a.m. with interment to follow in the church cemetery.
Dr. Greg Gavin will officiate. The body will be placed in the church at 9 a.m. Pallbearers will be Russell Walker, Gary Staples, Randle McCraw, Mike McSween, George King, and Steve McCraw. To sign the online guest book, visit www.
memorychapellaurel.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wendell Willard McCraw please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , OCT 5.
04:30 PM – 07:00 PM Memory Chapel Funeral Home 3100 Audubon Drive P. O. Box 674 Laurel, MS, US, 39440 memorychapel@comcast.net www. memorychapellaurel.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Wendell Willard’s Visitation begins. Service , OCT 6.
10:00 AM Mt. Vernon Congregational Methodist Church MS, US Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Wendell Willard’s Service begins. Cemetery Details Mt.
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