Mrs. Doris Mae McCrary

The Journey: Today we celebrate and reflect on the life of a phenomenal woman, born Doris Mae Foster on February 2,1940 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She brought joy to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and to those who knew her. Doris and Quinard were joined in holy matrimony on November 13, 1962. To this union was born five children. Her husband passed on May 16, 1970 leaving her to raise their five children. With her strong belief and faith in Christ she knew everything would turn out fine. Doris had a strong belief in getting a college education and she enrolled at the University of Detroit Mercy in 1970 where she received a Bachelor of Science in Arts/Communication Studies, English and Journalism within three years. Doris earned her Teacher Certification in Secondary Education. She continued her education receiving two Master Degrees in Ethnic/Urban Development and Education from Marygrove College in Detroit. Her passion was education, and as a self-motivated leader, she taught for over 35 years at various schools and colleges. She was extremely passionate in making a difference in every child and adult that she educated. She retired after 27 years from the Detroit Public Schools System. After retirement she returned to work for both of her alma maters in a teaching capacity for the University of Detroit Mercy as a Student Teachers Supervisor and for Marygrove College as an Adjunct Professor until her death. Doris had a strong belief, faith and love in Christ. She believed anything is possible if you believe in prayer. She taught Sunday school in the churches she attended, such as St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church (now St. Peter Claver Community Catholic Church), in Detroit. She was instrumental in developing a program at St. Peter Claver to honor kids each year on their school achievement and promotion. Doris was very outspoken on her passion for education. Doris always believed in order to be a good educator, you also had to care about the students you were teaching. She believed you had to reach the mind through the heart. She believed that every student should have the opportunity to learn regardless if they had any social and economic disadvantages. She enjoyed entertaining and having fun with her family and friends at her home. She was also on The Hole Reunion Committee for over 17 years. The committee would entertain family and friends by having their annual party in October. She was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed writing educational material (some were copyrighted) and reading books on education and black history. Doris enjoyed planting flowers every summer around her house and on her deck. She loved cooking for her family on every holiday at her home. Her love for family was always her first priority. You name it, she did it for the love of education: school committees, school programs, conducted staff in-services across the curriculum, designed and presented workshops for English, Math and Science teachers, accreditation committees, peer coach training, chairperson for staff development, chairperson for MEAP Committees, instructional specialist, writing coordinator, writing consultant, Assistant English Department Head, curriculum designer, curriculum consultant, Skillman Foundation Good Schools as a member of the K-12 school site visitation Teams, English Language Arts Coach for Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), designer and producer of curriculum guides for Harcourt Brace Book Company, English Teacher, special program instructor, English and Journalism Instructor, supervised the school newspapers, designed MEAP testing materials for the teaching staff and this is just naming a few. She received many awards and recognition and many accolades. Doris started an educational consultant business called MCD Consultant for many years.

Mrs. Doris Mae McCrary

February 2, 1940 - February 24, 2016