Funeral services for Heyward Leroy McCrea, Sr., conducted by the Rev. Robert Shuler, were held Saturday, December 1, 2012, at Bethesda United Methodist Church of Cades. Burial, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home, followed at Barr Cemetery of Kingstree. Mr. McCrea died Saturday, November 24, 2012. He was born on April 15, 1916, in Kingstree, the son of the late Elihue McCrea and Minnie Cooper. Six siblings, John, Patsy, Calvin, James, Buster and Jannie and two children, Nathaniel “Micky” and Heyward, Jr., McCrea, preceded him in death. He attended the public schools of Williamsburg County, where he graduated from Tomlinson High School. At an early age, he became a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities from Pastor Aide to Custodian. He was a member of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under the Care Watch Program. He was also a member of Wesley AME Zion Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for over 42 years.

Mr. McCrea had many jobs but he was dedicated to two major jobs, the US Navy and Budd Company, where he worked for 35 years and retired in 1981. In 1992 he relocated back to Kingstree, along with his wife Rosa Lee “Snukum” McCrea. Survivors are: his wife, Rosa Lee McCrea of the home; four children, Brother McCrea (Beatrice) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Rosa Graham of Charleston; Jackie Maulden (Will) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Timmy McCrea (Belinda) of Kingstree; one sister, Rachel Lillian McClary of Kingstree; 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great grandchildren.