Joan McRae was born on March 21, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Joseph and Hester McRae. She was educated in the Brooklyn public school system and attended Clara Barton
High School. While in New York she worked for the ATF, McMillian Publishing Company and Colgate in Manhattan, NY as an executive secretary. Upon moving to Florida, she began working as an executive secretary for ex-football player, Kellun Winslow at Disney World. She loved her job until retirement and enjoyed the sun for a couple years. Later she resided in New Jersey with her daughter Kim and then in North Carolina with her son Tony and his wife Lorretta for her remaining years.
To know Joan was to love her. What a beautiful spirit. She had a green thumb for plants and loved listening to jazz, eating seafood, drinking good wine, loved to dance, enjoyed outdoor concerts and eating at her favorite restaurant Red Lobster. Her favorite singer was Isaac Hayes and her favorite color was red. She had traveling buddies and she traveled up until last year. She danced a little shuffle on her last day. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, and friend to many. She will be truely missed by all.

Joan along with her parents was predeceased by her siblings John, Edith, George, James, Charles and Frankle. She was survived by 2 children, Kim Murrell and Anthony Murrell (Lorretta); granddaughter, Tenine C. Delfin (Gabriel); 2 great granddaughters, Essence Delfin and LeAure Delfine; 2 god children, Robin Walker and Domonique Walker; nieces and nephews, Linda, Gail, Jerry, Shelia, Dyneil, George; good friends, Barbara Walker of New York, Joyce Day of North Carolina, Jean of South Carolina, Jenny of New York, Ana of Florida, Lucy of Florida, Pat of Florida and a host of beloved relatives and friends.