Wanda McCrary

Wanda Crussel Booker McCrary peacefully went to be with the Lord on June 13, 2023. Funeral services are set for 11:00 am June 23, 2023, at New Birth Baptist Church. The Rev. Harold Washington will serve as eulogist and Bishop S. F. Evans, Pastor. Interment will follow to Restlawn Garden Cemetery.

She was born on September 23, 1958, to the union of Eugene and Johnnie Crussel in Lamar County, Texas. Wanda attended Lamar County Schools where she participated in several school organizations. A 1977 graduate of Paris High School, 1979 graduate of Paris Junior College where she received an associate degree in office occupation. She always enjoyed attending her class reunion events to reunite with former classmates and friends.

Wanda was a faithful member of the former St. John Baptist Church where she enjoyed serving as an usher and Sunday School teacher under the leadership of her mother, the Rev. Johnnie Crussel-Bills. She taught Sunday School with such enthusiasm and passion that others were sure to receive both clarity and enjoyment at the same time. In the same way, while ushering she and her cousin, Mary, always greeted everyone with a big, beautiful smile as they entered the church.

Later in life, Wanda married Rufus McCrary on January 08, 2003 (Nassau, Bahamas) and welcomed a blended family. She enjoyed shopping with her sister, spending time with her brother and other family and friends; especially time with her daughter, and granddaughter, Yamina, in addition to traveling, gardening, fishing and so much more during her lifetime, prior to her illness.

Moreover, Wanda was a long-time Liberty National Bank employee before retiring after 28 years of service. She began work with Liberty as a paying and receiving teller in May of 1984. She was promoted to assistant teller supervisor in 2000 and was named Employee of the Year in 2003. Wanda served as treasurer of the Bank’s employee club in 2009-10, prior to her retirement. Also, in addition to her employment at Liberty, she was a licensed real estate agent with Lone Star Realtor in Paris, Texas.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, grandparents, John and Willie Mae Crussel, Rufus and Ethel Ethridge.

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