Mike and Carolyn Mc-Crary were honored this year at the annual DeKalb Chamber of Commerce banquet as the recipients of the Heart of the Community Award, also know as, The Noble.
To understand the story of the Noble award, we include this description, originally written by Noble recipient Joni Tidwell Haldeman.
The great English poet, Edmund Spenser, (1553 – 1599) wrote in his most distinguished poem, The Faerie Queene; “The noble heart that harbors virtuous thought, And is with child of glorious great intent, Can never rest, until it forth have brought Th’eternal brood of glory excellent.”
Some would say those were high-brow words referencing the people in a small northeast Texas town. But since 1994, De Kalb, Texas has recognized and honored “the Noble Hearts” that without thought, selflessness contributed a lifetime of service to the community and its people.
As the De Kalb Chamber of Commerce annually recognized an active individual, organization and business, for outstanding service throughout the past year, it became obvious our community needed to be reminded of those who once held active roles in many areas of our lives. As a community, those from the greatest generation had given us a firm foundation to continuing building on. They were our pillars, holding us up in times of both heartbreak and much joy.
As a community, they carried us across obstacles with wisdom and understanding rarely found or shared now.
Noble Bates, became the first recipient. With the opening of the Williams House Museum, stories from the past flowed from those that were a part of this history.
It came as a surprise that many of the deeds and actions of many of our senior citizens had been forgotten or more often than not, never known.
The late Mr. Bates had been a city councilman and long time Mayor of De Kalb, in the late 1950’s, early 1960’s. During his administration, streets were paved, new neighborhoods were created. The water works system was expanded and upgraded, as the municipality began receiving its water from Texarkana.
Prudent, strict when it came to seeing about the welfare of the people, his contributions were not always positive or popular. But due to his integrity, he made the hard decisions, standing up to adversity.
The “Heart of the Community” award is not, nor has it ever been a popularity contest. Those selected, have faced championships and adversities. They have persevered.
In 1994, Hollywood had Oscar… Texarkana had the Wilbur Award…De Kalb would present “`the Noble.”
“The Noble” is presented in recognition of a lifetime of service to De Kalb. Each year, former recipients meet and select one whose life reflects the definition of “Noble”…that is one who is with greatness of character…. generous of heart … responsible…righteous, magnificent… virtuous.
Each recipient of the honor has been unique in their contributions to our way of life. But they all have shared an abiding love for this community and its people. They also shared the trait of modesty, performing their good deeds out of the limelight.
Haldeman’s words perfectly describe this year’s Noble recipients. They have served the community of DeKalb for decades with all of the same traits as the recipients before them. They were presented their recognition at this year’s DeKalb Chamber of Commerce banquet by their two daughters, Lynn Duffer and Pat Grider, who were introduced by last year’s honoree Ted Prather.
The words of their presentation speech tell us all we need to know about this year’s Heart of the Community Award recipients, Mike and Carolyn McCrary.
That presentation is included here, in its entirety.
Born and raised in DeKalb, TX, this couple has worked relentlessly to beautify our town and enliven its rich historical past.
They began dating one another in high school and married in 1964, shortly after graduation.
Within a few years, they had three children and decided that a change was needed in their lives.
In 1970, the family packed up and moved to Nacogdoches, TX, with no jobs, little money, and some big dreams. He enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State University and soon found work in a local dairy. She became a babysitter in her home. She cared for her own children and charged $3.00 a day for other children.
He obtained his degree in botany and secured a position with the Soil Conservation Service.
During his time at the SCS, he and his family transferred to Corsicana, TX, Whitney, TX, Knox City, TX, Americus, GA, and finally Beltsville, MD, where he managed the National Soil Conservation Service office, and she worked as a fulltime mother and a substitute teacher.
During the time in which they lived in other places, the family enjoyed immeasurable experiences, including living near Washington, DC. They made friends, moved, and made new friends along the way, some of which stay in touch with them to this day. The family always had each other on which to rely and lean.
Sometime later, the family decided that it was time for another change. They had been away from “home“ for long enough. Once again, they packed up their belongings and moved. They were returning home to DeKalb.
They bought the old family farmhouse and began restoring it. They were able to spend time with their parents from DeKalb, Joe Mac and Jodie House and Herschel and Sybil McCrary. He worked as a taxidermist and a rural mail carrier. She taught students with special needs at DeKalb Middle School.
The three children all graduated from DeKalb High School and went on to obtain college degrees.
Jim and April live in Iowa. Lynn and Pat and their husbands, Rhett and Brad, live in New Boston.
The couple has nine grandchildren: Eric, Drew and his wife Chrissy, Malik, Caryn, Sager, Claire and her husband Phillip, Braden, Olivia, and Leia and 5 great grandchildren, Caeden, Jayden, Brooklyn, Dax, and Kendal. These kids are the loves of their lives, and most of them have been lucky enough to have Granny and Granpa as babysitters while their parents went to work.
If you’ve ever driven along Highway 82 in DeKalb, you have noticed one of the ways that this couple has beautified and restored DeKalb. The Williams House is their ongoing project. Rarely a day goes by that you don’t see one or both of them there working, watering flowers, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, decorating for holidays, or driving nails. The Williams House continues to grow and flourish with visitors from all over the United States.
Mike and Carolyn Mc-Crary are some of the hardest working people DeKalb has ever known. They are also some of the best people DeKalb has ever known. This is why they have been chosen as this year’s recipients of the esteemed Noble Award.
My sister and I are extremely proud to call them our parents. We love you both so much. Congratulations, Daddy and Mama.
