Carolyn Renee McCrary

Carolyn Renee McCrary was born on April 5, 1962, to the late Rubye Lee Griffin and Joseph Griffin. She was a vibrant, loving woman whose presence brought joy, laughter, and warmth to everyone who knew her.

Carolyn attended Marshall High School, where she was a proud cheerleader. From an early age, she was known for her fun-loving spirit and her love of dancing—qualities that remained with her throughout her life.

In her later years, Carolyn worked alongside her husband at VS Grinding in Wheeling, Illinois. She later became a dedicated customer service representative at Comcast and eventually retired from the Illinois Gaming Board before her illness.

Carolyn was the kind of person you could always count on. Whenever you needed her, she was there—no questions asked. She had a remarkable sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. If you didn’t find her jokes funny, she would jokingly “curse you out” in her own special way—always full of love and personality.

She had a passion for traveling, visiting amusement parks, and going out to eat with her husband and grandchildren. Her family meant everything to her, especially her children and grandkids, who were truly the center of her world.

Carolyn’s unexpected passing has left a deep void in the hearts of those who loved her, along with questions that may never be answered. Yet her memory will forever live on through the love she gave and the joy she shared.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Kejuan Griffin Sr.; her sister, Paula Griffin; her mother, Rubye Lee Griffin; and her father, Joseph Griffin.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her beloved husband, Reginald (Reggie) McCrary; her brother, Robert Gray; her nephew, Sherard Griffin; her children, Antoine Griffin, Rashawnda Griffin, and Brittanya Griffin; her grandchildren, Jaelen Burns, Alaiyah Bassett, Lakevion Griffin, Alyra Griffin, Briana Bassett, Antoine Griffin Jr., and Aziya Simmons; and her great-grandchildren, Kejuan Griffin Jr., Kayden Simmons, and J’ream Cathy.

Carolyn also leaves behind her cherished family, Tiffany and Chris McCrary; her special friend, Carol; and her favorite niece, Wakesha Herron-Washington, along with a host of other family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

This is not goodbye—it is simply “see you later.”