Mrs. Anna McCaw

Obituary For Mrs. Anna McCaw

Anna McCaw Obituary

Funeral services will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Ebenezer AME Zion Church in Smyrna, SC with Rev. Alvin Murdock officiating, and Rev. Dennis McCleave eulogizing. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens in York, SC.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, January 2, 2026 at the funeral home, and other times at the home.

Anna J. McCaw was born on July 25, 1928, in Lancaster, South Carolina, to the late Pearl McGriff and James Jones. She was the fourth child born into a loving family and was nurtured in faith from an early age, joining Mount Nebo A.M.E. Zion Church.

Anna received her early education in Lancaster and graduated from Lancaster Training School, later known as Barr Street High School, an institution established to prepare students for careers in education. With a strong calling to teach, she continued her studies at Clinton Junior College and later transferred to Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. In 1951, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.

While at Livingstone College, Anna was an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and the YWCA. Her yearbook described her as “lively, capable, and full of pep—quite often an artist also.” Her Senior Class voted her as the Most Artistic.

Following college, Anna traveled throughout the United States assisting the Supervisor of the A.M.E. Zion Church. She later began a long and distinguished career in education at J. R. Faison School in Wadesboro, North Carolina. Anna taught third and fourth grade at various schools throughout Anson County for nearly 39 years and was honored as Teacher of the Year. She was deeply dedicated to the children she served, ensuring each student mastered reading and cursive writing before advancing. Teaching was her true passion, and her exceptional handwriting remained beautiful even in her 90s.

On May 17, 1952, Anna married the love of her life, Halbrook McCaw. Together, they built their home in Smyrna, South Carolina, on McGill Road, where they raised their three daughters: Jo Renee, Valerie (Jackie), and Tanya.

A devoted and lifelong “die-hard Zionite,” Anna became a devoted member of Ebenezer A.M.E Zion Church, where she faithfully served in several positions over the years: Sunday School teacher, treasurer, secretary, Special Education Director, Special Conference Worker, WHOMS member. She was deeply involved in Christian Education within the York/Chester District of the A.M.E. Zion Church and was a Deaconess. Her service to the church reflected her unwavering faith and commitment to God. She was also member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

After retirement, Anna enjoyed gardening, canning, working on crossword puzzles and spending time with her family. In 2024, Anna was honored as a member of Livingstone College’s 50-Year Golden Graduate Club, recognizing her lifelong achievements and legacy.

Anna is preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and James Jones; her brothers, James Franklin, Henry and W. C. Jones; and her sister, Annie Neal Shannon. Her dear husband of 65 years, Halbrook McCaw; daughter, Jo Renee Hampton; granddaughter, Hollie Setzer; and a beloved nephew, Derrick Beard.

Anna leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Naomi Jones of Rock Hill, SC; two daughters, Valerie Gill (William) of Parker, CO, and Tanya McCaw of Charlotte, NC; granddaughters, Niki Gill Adams (Justin) of Aurora, CO, and Juanna Thomas (Jabari) of Fairburn, GA; grandsons, Byron Hampton of Smyrna, SC, and Marqui Gill (Tamia) of Parker, CO; an adopted daughter and dear friend, Peggy Wilson of Rock Hill, SC; great grands, S’kayia, Mahoganey, Zahria, McKenzie, Lauryn, Julian, Jeremiah, Alexander, Ava, Brooke, Jaloni, and Josiah; great-great grands, Curtis and Cayden; special nieces, nephews, and cousins, Sonja, Glen, Carolyn, and Keiwanna; special families, the Gill Family and Ebenezer A.M.E. Zion Church Family; and a host of cousins, extended family, dear neighbors, and friends.

Affectionately called “Anna Mae” by her husband, she was known as a woman who was unique, special, classy, and elegant throughout her life. Anna J. McCaw was called home on December 25, 2025—Christmas Day, His birthday—leaving behind a powerful legacy of faith, service, education, and love.

Wright Funeral Home of York, SC is in charge of all services and arrangements.

Services

VISITATIONFriday
January 2, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wright Funeral Home
301 East Liberty St
York, SC 29745

FUNERAL SERVICES

Saturday
January 3, 202612:00 PM
Ebenezer AME Zion Church
2475 Ebenezer Road
Smyrna, SC 29743

https://www.wrightfuneralhomesc.com/obituary/Anna-McCaw