Lynell Marie McCrary

Lynell Marie (Johnson) McCrary, age 47 of Eagle, Michigan went to heaven on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 after a year long battle with two incurable diseases. 

She was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Lobe dementia (FTD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in June 2020.  Lynell was born in Tacoma, WA on August 19, 1973.  When she was 3 she moved to Gig Harbor, WA.  At age 5 the family packed up and moved to Texas for 8 ½ years.  Lynell and her 3 sisters (Stacey, Teryl & Bryna) consider themselves to be Texans.  The family returned to Gig Harbor, WA in 1987 where Lynell completed four years of high school.  In high school she participated in basketball, track, cross country and swimming competition with basketball being her favorite sport.  She lettered in all four sports and held the school record for the girl’s heptathlon.  She graduated from BIOLA University in California where she played four years of basketball.  She taught several years for the LA school District at an inner-city middle school (Nimitz) during which time she received a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University.  While in Southern California she met her true love, Joe William McCrary.  Joe and Lynell were married for 21 years and have 4 beautiful children (Joe David (JD), Kayden Daniel, Makiya Brynlyn and Talon Josiah). 

Lynell and Joe lived in Southern California for a few years and eventually moved to North Carolina.   They loved North Carolina where Lynell worked for Grace Covenant church followed by teaching school for Bradford Prep and Cabarrus Academy Charter schools.  She moved to Michigan pursuing a dream of coaching collage girls basketball and received a second master’s degree in school administration from Grand Canyon University during this time.

Lynell had a zest for life and loved planning events for all of us.  Whether at work or church or home or the neighborhood she enthusiastically celebrated life with us.  As she would say “Learning to live Audacious Faith!”   Lynell, we miss you and look forward to joining you in heaven someday.

Lynell was preceded in death by her sister Bryna Lynn Johnson and mother-in-law, Sharon McCrary.

She is survived by husband Joe William McCrary, her children Joe David (JD), Kayden Daniel, Makiya Brynlyn and Talon Josiah; parents David & Marlys Johnson; father-in-law Joe (Corky) Lee McCrary; sisters Stacey Lois (Jonathan) Minner, Teryl Renee (Jonathan) Isenberg; and her beloved nieces and nephews Timothy, Ashley and Ethan Isenberg & Caleb, Elizabeth, Abigail and Joshua Minner. She also has numerous friends from every place she’s ever been. Loved and missed by everyone, enjoying all of eternity in heaven.

A memorial service will be held on July 17, 2021 at 11:00 AM (Pacific Standard time) at Believers Fellowship (4112 Hunt St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335) with livestream satellite feed to Independence Hill Baptist Church (10220 Independence Hill Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078) at 2:00 PM (Eastern Standard time). The service will also be recorded for later viewing to ensure everyone has an opportunity.

Flowers can be sent to either church and donations can be given to the Youth group at Independence Hill Baptist Church (10220 Independence Hill Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078)

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