MRS. HELEN L. MCCRAY WILLIAMS

Helen Louise (Crawley) McCray Williams went from labor to reward on Tuesday morning, April 19, 2022. Helen was born on April 6, 1926 and was the eighth child born to parents Ben and Mamie Lucinda Brady Crawley, who preceded her in death. Helen was also preceded in death by six of her older brothers and sisters: Charles, Ruth, Herschel, Victoria, Anna and Edgar.

Helen attended school in Rockport, Indiana through the 10th grade. She was then bussed to Lincoln High School in Evansville, Indiana, where she graduated in June of 1943. In 1966, Helen attended Indiana Purdue University Extension, Indianapolis, Indiana, where she took courses in Business Administration and English. From 1987 to 1989, Helen attended Baptist Bible College, taking courses in Old and New Testament Survey and Missions. Additionally, in 1992, Helen took courses in Real Estate Education and Research.  Helen first worked in the Tea Room at L. S. Ayers and Company, and then at the Fort Benjamin Harrison Finance Center.  In 1964, she began working for the Veteran’s Administration, working her way up from File Clerk to Development Clerk and finally as Adjudicator, before retiring in 1987.

Helen professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized in an outdoor pond in Rockport, Indiana by the late Rev. Walter Highbaugh, a part time pastor from Indianapolis. When she moved to Indianapolis, she joined First Baptist Church North where she remained a member until her death.

Helen married Elwood Thomas McCray and to their union, four children were born: Donna Elaine, Elwood, Jr., Shari Denise and William Benjamin McCray (Valgenia).  Her husband Elwood, and three children, Donna, Elwood Jr. and William, preceded her in death.  Helen later married James O. Williams, who also preceded her in death.

Helen served in various religious educational and leadership roles throughout her life in her church including Assistant Superintendent to the Sunday School, M&G Sunday School class, the Alberta Young Missionary Group 5, and was a member of the Mass Choir.  She was in the F. F. Young Specials, a Trustee, a Deaconess, served as Women’s Day Chairperson and directed a 55 voice Sunday School Choir from 1966-1969. That choir was the first Sunday School Choir to sing in the State Sunday School Congress. Helen also served in the church pantry helping to serve the needy. Helen belonged to the United North West Association (UNWA) and also the Senior Sophisticates.  She enjoyed exercising with the Municipal Garden Seniors, walking in her neighborhood, and volunteered for several years as a poll worker at her local election precinct. She also enjoyed Bible Study, volunteering at her grandson’s school, and working with all people. Helen is remembered for her joyous smile and was considered a mother or grandmother to all. She has been described as hard working, intelligent, admired, inspirational, a gentle spirit, and mostly, a woman of God. Helen’s life-long objective was, “To help my fellow man in learning more about and having a relationship with Christ”.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Shari Snowden; grandsons, Garrison Snowden and William E. McCray; sisters, Emma L. Bryant and Thelma Lindsey; daughter-in-law, Valgenia McCray; and a host of other family members, church family and friends.

Humbly Submitted            The Family

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