LeKarroll McCray

Celebrating the Life of LeKarroll McCray
Sunrise: June 16, 1949 ~ Sunset: July 8, 2014

LeKarroll McCray was born June 16, 1949 to Ruby Jean McCray and Eddie McCray (Deceased – U.S. Air Force, Retired) in Asheville, North Carolina.
At a young age she moved to Detroit, MI. Growing up, Lee had a very mischievous nature and on occasion took uninhibited and adventurous risks. Her passion for life and life’s experiences took her to Kent State University to protest the Viet Nam War in 1970 and to Woodstock in 1969. Then in 1986, she had an epiphany and switched life gears. From then on, she decided to abstain from ingesting any intoxicants and to focus more on her personal and professional development.
LeKarroll attended Northwestern High School and was active in the Student Government Association and played basketball. She later took Michigan Labor and Union courses through Wayne State University’s Continuing Education Program. She continued with self-study courses after getting a job at Shelby Nursing Home as a housekeeper. She worked her way up the ranks to become the Director of Housing. She left Shelby to work at Theodore Levin United States Courthouse with her life-long friend, Sandra Ruffin.
When Motor City Casino opened in 1999, she was hired as a porter and later became Shop Stewart of United Here. She had an enthusiasm for union work and this lead to other roles as Executive Board Member, Financial Secretary and Trustee. Lee was extremely involved in her union, organizing and politics. After several years of service, LeKarroll retired from Motor City to pursue other endeavors – leisure time for her, time to care for her mother, and time with her children and grandchildren. She never missed a school event, dance competition, talent show, or award ceremony. She was so proud see the first of her grandchildren go off to college. Her unique name and legacy will always be cherished and remembered through her three namesakes: her two nieces: Karroll Francine and Shae LeKarroll; and one grand-daughter: Paris LeKarroll.
Lee leaves to cherish her memory her mother: Ruby McCray; her loving children: Stephen (Lisa) McCray, Lovie (Fred) Tompkins, and Rubin McCray; nine grandchildren: Paris McCray, Elesia McCray, Ashley McCray, Jayvon Powell, Paige Tompkins, Frederick Tompkins Jr., Rubin McCray Jr., Daysean Cook, Rahniyah Cook and one great-grandchild, Logan McCray; three sisters: Mary Lorraine (Dennis) Gordon, Melody Smith, and Keya Grant, and one brother, Eddie McCray; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, one great-great niece, and a multitude of friends. ***(Sister: Tamara McCray (Deceased)/Father: Eddie McCray (Deceased)).