Raymond McCrite

TAMMS, Ill. -- Raymond "Pedro" McCrite, 81, of Tamms died at 12:37 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Raymond was born July 26, 1934, in Tamms, the son of Harley and Pansy McKee McCrite. He married Hester Williams on May 29, 1954.

He was a bus driver for the Egyptian School District for 45 years and was active at the school and attended all functions. He was a lifelong farmer on the homestead established in 1856. He raised miniature horses and took them to many parades.

He was a lifetime member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church, where he served in all capacities as trustee, deacon and music leader. He was the dedicated sexton of McCrite Cemetery for over 60 years.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Hester McCrite of Tamms; two sons, Danny (Julie) McCrite and Jeff McCrite, both of Tamms; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Josh) Lindley, Melissa (Brian) Mathey, Nick Santamaria, Amanda Santamaria, Alex McCrite, Kelsey McCrite and Adam McCrite; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Earl McCrite and Paul McCrite, both of Alabama; a sister, Jeanie Mae Zimmerman of Joliet, Illinois; nieces and nephews; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William, John and Harley "Toad" McCrite; and two sisters, Georgia Malone and Ethel Honey.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Sandy Creek Baptist Church, with the Revs. Clint Nale and Davy Miller officiating. Interment will be in McCrite Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to McCrite Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.