Andrea K. McCray, a historian from Crystal River, is paying tribute to the late members of the Black community in Citrus County. In 2022, McCray memorialized some of the deceased members on the Citrus County Black History Archives Facebook page. Her project aims to preserve the legacy and truth about the people who made a difference in her community.
McCray, born and raised in Crystal River, was inspired by her grandmother, Annie Mae McCray, an educator in Citrus County for 44 years. Andrea’s obituary project shares stories of individuals like Jessie Lee Ruth Wooden and her husband, who once owned a boarding house for working men, and Glady Nixon, who worked for the Citrus County Health Department. McCray says it’s essential to remember the strength, honor, legacy, and resilience of her community’s history.
The Citrus County Black History Archives Facebook page features the obituaries of these community members. McCray believes that by sharing their stories, she can help people understand the willpower, determination, hope, faith, perseverance, and collective effort required to overcome adversity. She hopes that her project will serve as a reminder of the great men and women who lived, served, and passed through Citrus County.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Crystal River
