SUMTER – John Roosevelt McClary, 74, husband of Mary Jane Cribb McClary, died Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at WJBD VA Hospital in Columbia.
Born May 3, 1940, in Greeleyville, he was a son of the late John A. McClary and Dora Johnson McClary.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Freddie McClary; and two sisters, Ella Mae Patterson and Frances (Gene) Anderson.
John Roosevelt McClary attended Williamsburg County public schools, graduating from Williamsburg County Training School, now known as C.E. Murray High School. After graduation he enlisted with the U.S. Army, serving until 1964. He was honorably discharged and joined his family in Troy, N.Y.
He was employed with Ford Motor Co. for 32 years until his retirement. He worked in the company’s plants in Green Island, N.Y., and later in Dearborn, Mich.
He was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Sumter. He was previously a steward and trustee at Leonard Chapel AME Church, later known as Greeleyville Mission AME Church. During his time in Troy, he was a member of 5th Avenue AME Zion Church.
Survivors besides his wife of 47 years include two sons, Alan B. McClary of Detroit, Mich., and Marques C. McClary (Giuseppe Lignano) of New York City; a daughter, Colleen (Charles Johnson) McClary of Albany, N.Y.; a sister, Estelle Stagger of Darlington; two grandchildren, Javaun Q. McClary and Janiah Lee Johnson, both of Albany; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving relatives and friends.
Celebratory services for John Roosevelt McClary will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 1093 Oswego Road in Sumter, with the Rev. Geneva Stafford, pastor, officiating.
He will lie in repose for an hour prior to services.
Burial will follow in Pinegrove AME churchyard cemetery in Greeleyville.
The family will receive friends at the home, 232 Curtiswood Drive in Sumter.
