Mrs. Claretha Marion Spencer McKay, dutiful daughter, sister, mother, surrogate mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, niece, cousin, mentor, friend, and servant completed her earthly journey on April 15, 2015.

Mrs. McKay was barely 5ft tall, and full of spunk. She was known for her smile, sassiness, stylish dress and hats. She loved to cook and entertain. Under the tutelage of her mother (Birdie Spencer), grandmother (Leomy Smith), and aunt (Mary Smith) – she became both mother and father to her children; did whatever she had to for her children; and more than she should have done for her children.

Mrs. McKay blazed a trail for women, becoming the first female to carry mail in the City of Vicksburg in 1966. She retired from the United States Postal Service in 2001, after 35 years. She was a graduate of St Mary’s Catholic School with further studies at Tougaloo College.

Mrs. McKay was a lifelong member of Mt. Heroden Baptist Church, as her grandparents Clara and Louis Spencer Sr. were founding members of the church. As a child, she sang in the church choir and played the piano. At the time of her death she was the oldest member of Mt. Heroden, serving on the Finance Committee, and the Board of Trustee. In addition to her services through the church, Claretha volunteered with National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Mrs. McKay was the eldest of two children born to Birdie and Louis Spencer on Oct. 23, 1937 in Vicksburg. She is survived by six children: Rufus McKay, Jr. of Montgomery Ala., Jacqueline Mims (Rufus) of Baton Rouge, Carol Williams, Kim McKay of Dallas, Dean McKay, and Sidney Dixon (Una) of Dallas; 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren; a host of special family members and friends to include Phyllis Smith Anthony, Delores Smith-Nichols, Robert Smith, Trudy Spencer, and Gwendolyn Prater.

Mrs. McKay was preceded in death by her parents Birdie and Louis Spencer; two children Darrell McKay, and Melanie McKay Straughter; a sister Delores Spencer Newball; and two grandchildren Dean Wayne Johnson, and LaQuittia Mims.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Mt. Heroden Baptist Church, 1117 Clay Street, Vicksburg.

Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015 with family present from 5 to 6 p.m. at Lakeview Funeral Home, 2102 Clay St, Vicksburg.