Obituaries » MORRIS LEE MCCRANEY, JR.
PrintMORRIS LEE MCCRANEY, JR.
October 17, 1992 - October 10, 2025
Burial Date: October 25, 2025
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Phillips, Lee, Monroe, and Desha District Center, Helena Crossing, Helena Arkansas from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service will promptly begin at 11:00 a.m. at Phillips, Lee, Monroe, and Desha District Center, Helena Crossing, Helena Arkansas. Interment will follow immediately at Morning Star Cemetery, Elaine Arkansas. Per request of the McCraney Family, please DO NOT take pictures or videos. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding by respecting their wishes.
Morris Lee McCraney Jr., affectionately known to family and friends as “JR,” was born on October 17, 1992 to Leslie McCray-Bailey and Morris McCraney, Sr. He transitioned from this earthly life on October 10, 2025 surrounded by the love of his family.
Morris was a devoted husband, a proud and loving father of three, a cherished son, and a loyal brother. He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at Gumwood Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Cedric Pride.
Morris graduated from Marvell-Elaine High School in 2011. He later attended Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas in Helena, Arkansas, where he earned his Commercial Driver License/Truck Driving Certification.
Morris went on to build a career doing what he loved most—driving trucks and seeing the open road. He took great pride in his work and found joy in the freedom and responsibility it brought him. His dedication, strong work ethic, and sense of humor touched everyone who knew him.
More than anything in this world, Morris loved his role as a husband and father. His wife; Anita, and their three daughters; Amira, McKenzie, and Alyssa Rae were the center of his universe. He loved coming home after a long haul, wrapping his arms around his kids, and sharing stories about the places he had been. Whether it was going fishing, family dinners, family trips, playing with his children, or simply relaxing at home, Morris found happiness in the simple, everyday moments.
Morris will be remembered for his laughter, his kind heart, and his unwavering love for his family. He was the kind of man who would help anyone in need, offer encouragement when others struggled, and bring joy wherever he went. His presence filled every room, and his memory will continue to fill the hearts of all who were blessed to know him. Morris left his family with many notes and encouraging words that we will carry on forever.
Morris was preceded in death by his daughter; Moriah McCraney, his paternal grandparents; Josephine McCraney and Leroy McCraney, his mother-in-law; Vivian “Tiny” Jefferson, and his special aunt; Joe Anna Miller.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife; Anita McCraney, his three beloved daughters; Amira McCraney, McKenzie McCraney, Alyssa Rae McCraney, his mother; Leslie McCray-Bailey, his stepfather; John “Pops” Bailey, Jr., his father; Morris McCraney, Sr., four siblings; Ackebia (Cadedric, Sr.) McCraney of Jonesboro AR, Tahaven McCraney of Jonesboro AR, Madison McCraney of West Helena AR, Malaysia McCraney of Jonesboro AR, one nephew; Cadedric Davis Jr. of Jonesboro AR, maternal grandparents; Dorothy B. Miller of Elaine AR, Norman (Linda) McCray, Sr. of Elaine AR, father-in-law; Preston “BB” Jefferson of Elaine AR, his God Mother; Catherine Gibson of West Helena AR, and a special cousin; Ivory Gilmore, Sr. of Elaine AR, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends who loved him dearly.
