Viola McRae

Viola Simpson McRae, 101, of Mount Gilead, passed away Monday morning, November 15, 2021 at her home.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00PM  Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Wadeville Baptist Church Cemetery.  Rev. Tim Madaris will officiate.  The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, November 17, 2021 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Edwards Funeral Home in Mount Gilead.  

Mrs. McRae was born March 25, 1920 in Montgomery County to the late James Asbury and Anna Bingham Simpson.  She was a 1937 graduate of Candor High School.  She was a member of Wadeville Baptist Church.

After her father died when she was 12 years old, she began working at 14 in the Sandwich Shop and the bus depot in Biscoe to help support her family.  She really enjoyed working at both places.  She had many occupations until she turned 95 years old. She was a store clerk, provided after school care, substitute teacher, was a supervisor at Montgomery Hosiey and Russell Harvel Hosiery Mill  and  worked for the NC Wildlife/ Forestry Division.  She continued to work because she enjoyed being around people.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald “Jaybird” Hartwell McRae; brother, James Marshall Simpson, who was killed in World War II.  

She is survived by her son, Donald “Nook” McRae(Judy) of Mount Gilead and daughter, Sally McRae Jackson of Pinebluff; grandchildren, Angela Deese Roddenberry(Chris), Brooke McRae Thomas(David), Anah McRae(Michael Levin), James Matthew Allred(Laura) and Marsha McRae Dixon(Joseph); great-grandchildren, C. J.,Zach, Lydia, Darby, Ruby, James, and Marshall.

Memorials may be made to:  Wadeville Fire Department, 111 Wadeville Fire Station Road, Mount Gilead, NC 27306 or Community Homecare & Hospice, 1024 Albemarle Rd, Troy, NC 27371.

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