McCray Sherman

McCray Sherman of Taylor, Arizona passed away peacefully surrounded by each of her children on January 13, 2024. She was born to William and Gertrude Baird in Mesa, Arizona on June 17, 1936. She devoted her entire life to serving her family, church, and community.

McCray grew up in Tempe, Taylor, and Pomerene, Arizona, where she worked on her family's ranch and in their dairy business. She graduated from Benson High School and was an accomplished athlete in pole vaulting and other track events. She could outrun her children in a footrace even into their teenage years. She loved good music and supported her children in countless hours of music lessons, concerts, and plays. She met the most handsome army officer in her Sunday School class, who had recently returned home from the Korean War, and she married the love of her life, Clyde, in 1954, who preceded her passing in 2018.

Clyde and McCray served as full-time missionaries together in Cove Fort, Utah and in the Mesa and Snowflake Arizona Temples for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many years following retirement. McCray was a gifted teacher and loved studying the scriptures and sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ. One of her favorite scriptures was Matthew 25: 40: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." She constantly served others and was a true and lovely follower of Jesus Christ. Clyde and McCray were inducted into the Town of Taylor Hall of Fame for their life-long service and generosity to the community.

McCray was a kind and loving companion, mother, grandmother, and friend to all. She was a gardener extraordinaire and fabulous cook, known for her amazing green corn tamales and scratch pies.

She is the great-granddaughter of numerous early Arizona Mormon Pioneers who settled in Arizona when it was only a U.S. territory. She treasured her pioneer heritage and frequently shared their stories of faith and sacrifice as they worked to establish strong and welcoming communities throughout Arizona. McCray enjoyed family history work and was proud to be part of a long line of Swiss and Scottish ancestors. She especially believed that families can be together forever.

Her greatest joys in life were her husband, Clyde, and their wonderful marriage of 63 years, and their five children-Karen and Doug Steinhour, Renee and Chuck Peters, Beverly and Dan Adcox, Darrell and Jane Sherman, and Charlene and Marc Ferrin. She loved spending time with her 18 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren, who adore her.

The Sherman Family would like to thank each of you for your many expressions of love and sympathy.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 26, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Silver Creek Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 309 W Willow Ln, Taylor, Arizona. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 11:00-12:00 pm at the Silver Creek Stake Center with a prior viewing at 10:00 am.

To watch via ZOOM:

https://zoom.us/j/8672729929?pwd=ZWRRcEZNTGR4R1B6OGtlRkRLME1ndz09 (https://zoom.us/j/8672729929?pwd=ZWRRcEZNTGR4R1B6OGtlRkRLME1ndz09)