Paula Stanley McRae said she'll never forget the smooth and easygoing mannerisms of the man who was her husband for the past 20 years.

On Friday, the Rev. Dr. Marvin Lorenza McRae died after a lengthy bout with cancer.

He was 42.

The 10-year pastor of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church was a Lumber City, Ga., native who came to Augusta in the mid-1980s to attend Paine College. He earned a degree in religion and philosophy from Paine and master's degrees and a Ph.D. while teaching at Butler High School. Ultimately, he became assistant principal at Spirit Creek Elementary School -- a position he held until he took a medical leave four months ago.

Mrs. McRae said her husband's strong will, even during his sickness, was a testament not only to their children but also to his congregation.

Bernice Bogan, longtime pianist, minister of music and trustee at Mount Vernon, said the Rev. McRae was a unique leader.

"He was vital to our congregation. He ministered to the sick, the weddings, the funerals. He was a counselor and a tremendous administrator," she said, "a great planner."

In addition to his church duties, the Rev. McRae was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and was a devoted father.

"He loved his children and was always supportive of them," Mrs. McRae said. "Our goal was to make sure our children were healthy and happy," she said.

The Rev. McRae is also survived by two daughters, Miriam, 20, and Monica, 18; and a son, Marvin Jr., 16.

"He was truly a 'daddy's little girl' kind of father," Mrs. McRae said. "He will really be missed. He touched so many lives."

Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.