Eugenia “Jenie” Jo Braly McCraw

Eugenia “Jenie” Jo Braly McCraw, 88, of Mathis, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Jenie was born on November 15, 1936, in San Perlita, Texas to the late Henry Lee Braly and Marvel Eugenia Hickman King. She married her best friend and beloved husband, Olan Edison McCraw, Jr., in 1955. Olan had just graduated from Baylor University and Jenie was a freshman at Texas State University. They moved to Fort Worth, Texas, while Olan attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1956 they moved to Mathis, Texas and began their life’s journey. Olan and Jenie both became very involved in the Mathis Independent School District. Olan served as the Superintendent and Jenie served as High School Journalism and Senior English teacher. Jenie taught privately as a piano teacher before becoming a schoolteacher. Combined, she taught students for thirty-seven years; Jenie loved her students, and they loved her.

During Jenie’s career in education, she was awarded the Voice of Democracy Citation by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary; she was nominated for the Texas Excellence Award for Outstanding High School Teachers by the College of Education at the University of Texas; and she was named as Outstanding Educator by the Mathis-Lake Corpus Christi Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jenie served on the Board of Directors for South Texas Children's Home Ministries in Beeville, Texas. She was a member and past president of the Mathis Literary Club and taught a women's Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Mathis where she was a member for over 68 years. She also volunteered her time with the American Cancer Society as a mentor and speaker.

Jenie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Olan, her parents, Henry and Marvel; her brother, Henry “Pete” Lee Braly, Jr., and sister Lukardis “Doolie” Rule. Jenie is survived by her children, son David Kent McCraw and wife Celeste of Mathis; daughter, Bethany Jo McCraw of Valley Mills, Texas; two grandchildren, Jessica Durning and husband Leon of Buda, Texas, and Alicia McCraw Morris and husband Dave of Charleston, South Carolina; and one great grandchild, Eleanor Durning. She is also survived by nephews Henry “Hank” Braly III, Buddy Dean Rule, Brooks Rule, Rick Richardson, Derek Richardson; and nieces Belinda McManus, Maryette Braly, Joy Hayworth, Misty Schulte, Tracy Whitney, and Nicole Raftery.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Kent Tompkins and Dr. Jerome A. Lee Sang for their compassionate guidance and care throughout the years. Special thanks also go to the caring staff at Harbor Hospice of Waco, Texas for their care in her last days.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2025, at Winsteads’ Funeral Home, 121 N. Duval Street, Mathis, Texas. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Mathis, 404 S. Bee St., Mathis, Texas, with Rev. Cliff Abshire officiating. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the South Texas Children's Home, P.O. Box 1210, Beeville, Texas 78104.

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Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. 361-547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com