Deborah "Debbie" McCrary's Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Wife, Mama, Nana and Sister.
Deborah Susan Nance McCrary of China Grove, NC went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Born to George Richard Nance and Martha Susan Coppley Nance, Debbie was a native of Davidson County, proudly raised in the Tyro Community. She attended West Davidson High School. Shortly after graduation, she met a handsome younger man while cruising in Lexington and told her friend that she was going to marry that boy. In 1971, Dennis and Debbie were married and later moved from Lexington to Charlotte in 1972.
Debbie was a member of Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church. After her girls were elementary school age, she returned to work. She worked at Mallard Creek Elementary School as a Teacher’s Assistant and then later at Mountain Island Elementary School as a Media Assistant. She retired from the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System and went on to her favorite job of being a full time Nana! She loved to sew, paint, cross stitch, garden, play dominios, ride with the top down on the Jeep, bake all her babies their favorite treats, put her toes in the sand as often as possible, and drive to the mountains in the winter to find snow. She was always ready to pack a bag and go on an adventure, whether that was a police conference with Dennis or anywhere the kids were going. Some of her favorite times were when everyone was piled in the camper together at the beach or watching her grandkids participate in the activities that they love.
Debbie is survived by her husband of 54 years, Dennis, and their daughters, Magan Bechtol (Chris) and Susan Monteith (Ryan). She is Nana to five grandchildren: Grace and Katie Bechtol and Colton, Carson, and Easton Monteith. She is survived by her siblings: Richard Nance (Trudy), Randy Nance (Pam), Amanda Swing (Randy) and Angelia Barker (Jake); sister-in-law to Paula Applegate (Bob); and Aunt to Holly Daniels (Doug and their daughter Raegan). She is also survived by two very special ladies, her aunts, Barbara Smith and Jean Payne, who loved her like their own.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church.
James Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be made at https://www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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