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.
Comments
To God Be the Glory, I met him years ago when Directing the Teenage Spiritual Awareness Workshop Mass Teen Choir (TSA), he opened up his church to us along with several other churhes across the US a few years back. I also got a chance to interact with him when he was coaching football at Butler, he questioned one of my YELLOW Flags against Butler at a game one time and I said to him: "Come on Coach he clipped the man" LOL. He is indeed everything his wife and family says, he will be missed.
Peace and rest from disease. I never had a chance to meet Rev. McRae, but I'm sure he was everything you say he was. Peace and support for his family. My prayers are with you.
What a great man. It was an hornor to know him. His love of family was one of the things that impressed me the most. They left out a special little lady that although he was not her biolocical daughter, she was just as much a part of him, Ausha. This man was an inspiration in life, but it was not how he handle death that was special but how he lieved his life. Rest on Marvin.
Believe me if you had known him you would truly realize what great of an loss, that Augusta has suffered. He was a warrior until the very end. Thinking of others when it was us that should have been thinking of him. On that early Friday morning around 12:45am, one of GOD's warrior returned home. May you enjoy peacefu rest, in GOD's loving arms.
Although I did not know Rev McRae personally, I taught both of his daughters at ARC. They are caring, loving young women, and through their eyes it's easy to see they were raised by a wonderful father.
My prayers go out to his family. I'm still in shock. I remembered him when he taught at Butler years ago.
Dr. McRae was an inspirational teacher, minister and a leader in the community. I met Dr. McRae through his daughter as her counselor at ARC. He was a devoted caring father and a very humanistic person. I pray peace for his wife and family.
May God bring inner peace and comfort at this time knowing that Dr. McRae is at eternal peace.
Rev. Marvin McRae was a very caring and devoted son,grandson, brother, father, cousin and friend. I grew up with Marvin, he's my cousin/brother. He will truly be missed by everyone. I pray continously for our family that God with strenthen his children, mother and grandmother. We loved him but God loved him more. May God bring comfort in knowing that he is in a better place and resting at the feet of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Rev. McRae was a great leader professionally and spiritually. I met Rev. McRae at Spirit Creek Middle School through an encounter dealing with my daughter's teachers. He did not take sides and listened to everyone's views and points. He will truly be missed by the children. I know that he touched so many lives. Occassionally I would fellowship at his church and received a blessing each time. McRae family be strong in the Lord. Rev. McRae is at peace. May God give you the conmfort and peace to go forward. You will continue to be in my prayers.
What a great loss this community has incurred. Rev. McRae was an inspiration as well an encouragement to all who knew him. Rev. McRae was always there for me and my family as our Pastor as well as our friend. We are personally at a great loss. Miriam, Monica, Marvin, jr., I know there aren't too many words that can heal your heatache right now, but try to take great comfort in knowing that your father is resting in tremendous peace. May God continue to a blessing to you and your entire family. You'll will continue to be in my family prayers.
My Friend Mac as we call him, a man that is known as one of the worlds nicest Man you’d ever meet. MAC as he and I always say “if the walls could talk” enjoyed life. From our Paine days and even up to the last time we talked. A man that was my friend and a spirit that lived a life continuous giving to other. Rev Mac, always love his family, and his family share him with us and even our families. You truly sent a boy from Lumber City and not only did he come back a man, he taught many of us how to be men on his way back. He stands tall among giants even now. Thank you to the McRae Family for my good friend, Augusta pastor, fraternity brother and around great guy. I love you all so much for the life of Rev. Dr Marvin Lorenza McRae, my friend.
I had the pleasure of having "Coach" McRae as my teacher at Butler during my senior year. I was just one of the thousands of lives he touched. He will be missed!
Never knew the man but what a testimony of his life. I envy him to have such loving friends and now he also free of pain praising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You may miss him but I am sure he is thinking you don't know what you are missing. My prayers to all his family for their personal loss and the loss to the community. Sounds like a wonderful human being. I would have been honored to break bread with him. He will live on in the lives of those who honor him. God bless him, but it looks like he already has.
i was a student of his. I will always remember his upbeat nature and the laughter that always filled his classroom. he made me believe in myself more and made me realize i can achieve anything if i set my mind to it. he will be greatly missed.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27
Thoughts and prayers of the Paine College community are with the McRae family.
What a great work he has done here on earth. Now he can sleep in heavenly peace. Though not our time, but God's time.
What a great service that took place for Rev. McRae. Too bad some of the so called christians had to show their true colors for the lack of a better word. The service was handled with the love and care that Marvin deserved but I hope the one lady that slighted his Widow do not think that it got pass GOD. You need to keep your evil ways to yourself. A HYPOCRITE will always be outed.
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