Robert D. "Bob" McCray

REV. DR. ROBERT D. “BOB” McCRAY, age 83, of Dandridge, TN passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016. He was born July 5, 1932 in Bristol, TN the son of the late Ross and Ona (Davis) McCray and was preceded in death by his siblings, Wallace, Eula, Guy, Dale and Allen. Rev. McCray was a graduate of Tennessee High School of Bristol, Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City with a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) where he was bestowed the Honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1982 and received his Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1957. In 1959 he was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Dandridge that spanned a career of 47 years that included his leadership and guidance of building a new church and the establishment of the Dandridge Christian Learning Center on the church campus. During his tenure he was inspirational in vastly growing the enrollment of Sunday School and Church Worship attendance; officiating many weddings, funerals and developing the many educational activities of the church including the church music ministry. During his four plus decades of service he selflessly committed himself to serve his church, community and many service organizations and committees. His many accolades include his service to Carson-Newman College serving on the Board of Trustees, Advisory Board and Capital Funds Campaigns and numerous working committees of the college; the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, Jefferson Co. Baptist Association, the Southern Baptist Convention and many local community programs for the betterment of Dandridge and Jefferson Co. He was an avid sports fan regularly attending games of the Tennessee Vols, Carson-Newman Eagles and the Jefferson Co. Patriots. Bob is survived by his loving wife and faithful companion of 60 years, Becky (McKay) McCray; daughter, Angela (Michael) Derrick; grandchildren, Brad (Camille) Bowlin and Leslie Bowlin; great-grandchildren, Braden and Eli Bowlin; sisters-in-law, Jo Anne McCray Barbour, Joan McCray and Janice (Charlie) K. Weinberg; several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family graciously requests that memorial gifts be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 246, Dandridge, TN 37725 or the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 2206, Brentwood, TN 37024-9885 or the Jefferson Co. Nursing Home, 914 Industrial Park Rd., Dandridge, TN 37725 Funeral services will be held Friday, May 20, 2016, 11:00am at the First Baptist Church of Dandridge. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Present and Past Deacons of the First Baptist Church will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm at the First Baptist Church, 951 Highway 92, Dandridge, TN. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE