Mr. Claude Ray McVea

January 30, 1949 - November 30, 2019

Claude (Claudie) Ray McVea was born on January 30, 1949, the son of the late Wesley McVea and Ozie Sayles McVea. He was the 9th of 14 children. As a young boy growing up, Claude spent lots of time in Lockhart, Texas on his grandparent’s farm where he cultivated an interest in the land. He entered the Austin public school system in 1955 and graduated from Albert Sidney Johnston High School in 1967. Following High School, Claude attended Nixon-Clay Commercial College where he met the love of his life, Ethel Mae Henderson. He often told the story of how he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her in “that red dress with the white collar”. Claude and Ethel united in marriage on August 19, 1974 in Austin, Texas. From this union two daughters were born, Shelva and Stacie. In 2013 Claude retired from the Texas Attorney General’s Office where he worked for over 40 years as a Graphic Illustrator. Claude had a true passion for art, music, history, and the historic Lane Cemetery. He was a founding member of the Austin Black Arts Alliance. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, visiting antique shops, creating new masterpieces of art and gardening with his grandchildren. Claude joined St. James Baptist Church and was baptized under the leadership of Pastor B.W. McClendon where he continued his faith walk with Jesus Christ. Claude was an active member of the St. James Culinary Committee and Security Team. Claude was proceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Ozie McVea, siblings Patricia Lynn McVea, Willie Dee (Sonny) McVea, Alvin McVea, Charles Lee McVea, Johnny Edward McVea, Ruthene Manor, EstherRay Whalon, Bobbie Louise Morris and LC McVea. He leaves precious memories to his loving and devoted wife, Ethel Mae McVea, daughters, Shelva Mays (Jonathan), Stacie Flenoy (Harold II), and Teisha Carson. Grandchildren, Devin, Haley, Harold III, Kamora, Teanna, and Tristan. Brother, Ellis McVea (Bessie), Sisters, Lena Moore (Eugene), Lavanyan McVea, and Ethel Ann McVea. Aunts, Essie Riep and Bernice Pinchback and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.