WITH ALLAH’S NAME, THE MERCIFUL
BENEFACTOR, THE MERCIFUL REDEEMER
Salatul Janaazah Honoring the Life of
Alphonso Dana McCray
JANUARY 28, 1954 ~ OCTOBER 19, 2025
“To Him will be your return (of all of you) the process of Allah is true and sure. It is He who begins the process of creation, and repeats it, that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness ...
The Glorious Qur’an Sura Yunus Ayat 4
They ask the about the (Final) Hour (when will be its appointed time?) Say “The knowledge there of is with my Lord (alone); None but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and earth. Only all of a sudden will it come to you. “They ask thee as if thou wert eager in search thereof Say: The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone), but most men know not.”
Friday, October 24, 2025
12 O’clock noon
Al Firdous Funeral Home
215 Grand Street• Trenton, New Jersey
Dr. Clarence Bashar, Officiant
Obituary
Alphonso Dana McCray was born on January 28,1954 in Dillon, South Carolina to the late Delores and Rufus McCray (Duncan Henry Carmichael); he returned to his Creator on October 19, 2025, at his home in Ewing, NJ surrounded by loved ones. Alphonso (affectionately called Al by everyone) was educated in the Trenton Public School system. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict.
As a young adult, Alphonso was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Black Panther Party and the Nation of Islam, Temple #44. In 1975, under the transitional leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed (R), Alphonso began to practice Al-Islam, embracing it’s teaching of faith, discipline, and community service.
Alphonso was employed by the New Jersey Department of Taxation, the City of Trenton (City Hall), the State of NJ Wage Reporting and Rick Bus Company. Alphonso worked as an entrepreneur selling women’s clothing and accessories. Alphonso obtained his CDL through the Department of Unemployment in 1996 and worked as a truck driver for Schneider and JB Hunt. He retired from ABC Supply Company after 20 years of service. After retirement, Alphonso returned to work at Petro Truck Stop, later for the Trenton Rescue Mission and most recently as a driver for Creative Change Counseling.
Because of his mother and the women of Carroll Street, Alphonso believed in our right to vote. He was excited to work at Mercer County Board of Elections as a poll worker. Alphonso performed as a reenactor for decades for the 6th Regiment of the US Colored Troops and Battles of Trenton. Alphonso was a member of a worldwide fellowship for over 25 years and enjoyed friendship with members in the Capital Area and around the world.
Alphonso was a world traveler, he enjoyed putting on his Captain’s hat and driving his RV. He especially loved his annual trip to Myrtle Beach for over 25 years with his MB friends. Alphonso and his family traveled on a cross-country vacation in 2008. He also loved cruising and vacationing in the Caribbean.
Alphonso married the love of his life, Michele Johnson, on June 18, 1994 and celebrated their 30th anniversary on a European vacation in April of 2024. His pride and joy were his three children, Tammy, Charles and Voshon and his grandson, Michael Jr.
Alphonso was pre-deceased by his parents; Delores and Rufus McCray and Duncan Henry Carmichael, three brothers; Alton, Michael, and Rufus, Jr, father-in-law; Omar Muhammad, mother-in-law; Thomasena Burnette, sister-in-law; Kathy Johnson, aunt; Janie McCray, uncle; Moses Johnson, and a special friend Trenita Hollis.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and dutiful wife; Michele, three children; Tammy (Michael), Charles, and Voshon, grandson, Michael Tru McGill Jr., two brothers; Jeffrey McCray, Gary Carmichael, three sisters; Delores Ann McCray, Monique Gay Somerville (Lee), and Deborah Ann Carmichael-Hampton (William), brother-in-law; Omar Johnson, sister-in-law; Janice Levrett, uncle; Carl Dixon, aunt; Lucy Carmichael, nephews; Michael Powell, Dante Boyer Sr. (Lori), Nasih Johnson (Nicole), Arthur and Donald Nowell, Omar Johnson Jr., JaVonn and Brandon Somerville, William Tristan, nieces; Tashima and Ilisha Nowell, Mika and Nadiyah Bell, Keona Phillips (Byron), Tyease Campbell (Steven), Karington Somerville, special great nephews, Muniyr Shaye Bell and Levon King Jones, godchildren; Malik T. Robinson, Syretta Robinson, Jona M. Batts, and Khloe´ M. Turner, special friends; Gary Moore, Shaheed and Carla Shabazz, a special aunt Rhae Johnson, and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
“MAY ALLAH FORGIVE YOU AND ADMIT YOU TO PARADISE”
“O YOU WHO BELIEVE! SEEK HELP WITH PATIENT PERSEVERANCE AND PRAYER, FOR ALLAH IS WITH THOSE WHO PATIENTLY PERSEVERE”
Glorious Quran 2:135
Washers & Shrouders
Charles McCray
Voshon McCray
Shaheed M. Shabazz
Jaleel Shabazz
Dr. Clarence Bashar
Helping Believers
Pallbears
Charles McCray
Voshon McCray
Ihsan Shabazz
Gary Moore
Gregory Hollis
Kenneth Jackson
Roderick Walker Interment
Greenwood Cemetery 1800 Hamilton Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
Repast
(following Interment)
Lawrence Road Fire Company Banquet Hall 1252 Lawrence Road Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Acknowledgments
The family is sincerely grateful for the prayers, acts of kindness and support that have strengthened us. We acknowledge with grateful appreciation the cards, calls, expressions of concern and sympathy and service all of which gave us comfort and strength. Special gratitude to Dr. Clarence Bashar, Nurse Philip Yeboah, Serenity Hospice, Adapt Health, Capital Health-Fuld, Al Firdous Funeral Home.