Mrs. Patricia Ann McCrary

In Loving Memory of Patricia Ann Bruce was born on July 24, 1934 to the union of Nelson and Sadie Bruce. She was the first of two children born to that union. She and her brother Thomas aka Tommie were raised in Ecorse, Michigan. Patricia accepted Christ at an early age when she followed her mother and joined St. John Presbyterian Church. As she grew up in the church she became a deacon, an ordained Elder and President of St. John’s Presbyterian Women. Having a lovely singing voice she joined St. John’s Inspirational Choir. She was a faithful member of St. John’s for over 70 years. Patricia attended Southwestern High School in Detroit. She was an active student. She was a member of the Glee Club, the Technician Staff and a member of the Cheerleaders Squad. While still in high school, she was selected to present an award to Duke Ellington who was performing with his orchestra at the Paradise Theater in Detroit. She stood on the stage with Duke Ellington and presented him the award. He thanked her and bent over and kissed her on the cheek. She was on cloud 9 for days. Patricia graduated from Southwestern in January 1952. She continued her education taking accounting courses at Wayne County Community College. Patricia was employed with J.L. Hudson’s Department Store and was one of the first Afro Americans to work in the cosmetics department. To work in cosmetics you had to be attractive and pretty and that she was. Patricia worked at Hudsons for 12 years. She was later employed at Aetna Insurance Company where she was a supervisor and retired after 30 years. Patricia last worked at Macy’s Department Store part time in the accounting department and retired after 81 years of employment. Patricia was joined in holy matrimony to John W. McCrary Jr. on June 28, 1959. They met in high school. John would say he was lucky to be married to the prettiest girl in Southwestern. They raised two children Norris and Sheryl. Patricia and John renewed their vows for their 50th golden anniversary. They received congratulatory greetings from Barack and Michelle Obama. Patricia and John enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, cruising and trips to New York to listen to jazz at the Village Vanguard. On June 30, 1985, Patricia and her sister Terina had the privilege to visit Rome, Italy where their sister Liza lived at the time. Patricia loved her family. She and John would gather family members to celebrate the holidays and party. She loved reading mystery novels. Patricia lovingly called Pat, departed this life on August 23, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Jeanette and Michele and her brothers Thomas and Carl. She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted and beloved husband of 65 years, John; a loving son Norris (Tia); a loving daughter Sheryl (Ricky Sr.); sisters Sandra, Terina and Liza, and a sister-in-law Janet Bruce. The joy of her life were her five grandchildren; two granddaughters Karmyn (Adam) and N’surya, three grandsons Ricky Jr. (Tayler), Maurice (Yolanda) and Jonathan. Maurice and Grandma Pat shared the same birthday July 24th and referred to each other as twins. She leaves five great-grandchildren also left to cherish Pat’s memory are a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Someone dear to Patricia was a childhood friend of her daughter Sheryl, Vickie Chambers, who was like a second daughter. Patricia will be missed by all who loved her.

Mrs. Patricia Ann McCrary

July 24, 1934 - August 23, 2024