McCray family papers

Restrictions: None

Biographical sketch: Prominent African American family active in civic and educational affairs; of Wichita, Kan.

Abstract: Letters and other documents, 0.8 ft. (18 folders), showing civic, educational, professional, fraternal, religious, & social aspects of the Armstrong, Spencer, & McCray families and how their activities interacted both within and outside of the family in the Greater Wichita area. Much of the collection consists of papers of John J. McCray, Jr., & his wife, Grace Louise Spencer McCray, but there are also papers pertaining to Charles & Molly Armstrong, Grace Louise McCray’s grandparents; Kylie & Lucille Armstrong Spencer -- Grace Louise McCray’s parents -- and Kylie & Lucille’s son Arthur; Ivory B. McCray, mother of John J. McCray, Jr., & Billy Q. McCray, a Kansas legislator & political figure; Billy McCray; and John J. & Grace Louise McCray’s daughters Sharon & Joyce. Included are a number of publications, many pertaining to the African American community and events in Wichita.

Summary:

Archival records are typically organized by series, a group of records that has a common element or function and a distinct organizational structure of its own, for example Correspondence Files, arranged chronologically, or Registers of Military Enlistments, arranged by regiment. Within series, records may be further arranged into folders or items. Groups of series from the same office or other organizational element may form a section (or subgroup), a portion of a larger record group or collection, such as the subgroup 1979-87 (John Carlin) as a part of State Archives record group 252, Records of the Office of the Governor. Subgroups may be further divided into sub-subgroups (sub-sections) -- such as Gov. Carlin’s Constituent Services Records -- sub-sub-subgroups, etc.


Collection Outline

Section 1: Armstrong Family Reunions, 1991 – 1998

Section 2: Spencer and McCray Families, 1943 – 1990.

• Sub-section 2.1: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Spencer and McCray families jointly), 1967 – 1987.


• Sub-section 2.2: Spencer Family, [1960?] – 1987.
  
  
  • Series 1: Kylie & Lucille Spencer, 1971 – 1987.
  
  
  • Series 2: Kylie Spencer, 1972 – 1983.
  
  
  • Series 3: Lucille Spencer, [1960?] -- 1985.
  
  
  • Series 4: Arthur J. Spencer : [data 1959 – 1972], [documents created] 1969 – 1972.


• Sub-section 2.3: McCray Family, 1943 – 1990.
  
  
  • Series 1: Multiple members, [not before 1963] – 1990.
  
  
  • Folder 1: Newspapers, 1967 – 1973.
  
  
  • Folder 2: Alpha Kappa Alpha, 1965 – 1982.
  
  
  • Folder 3: Delta Sigma Theta, [not before 1963] – 1990.
  
  
  • Folder 4: Les Fleurs, Inc., 1973 – 1975.
  
  
  • Folder 5: St. Paul A.M.E. Church (Wichita, Kan.), 1975.
  
  
  • Folder 6: Links, Inc. Wichita Chapter, Apr. 30, 1977.
  
  
  • Series 2: Ivory B. McCray, Jan. 19, 1977.
  
  
  • Series 3: Billy Q. McCray, Oct. 31, 1973.
  
  
  • Series 4: John Joel McCray, Jr., 1943 – 1983.
  
  
  • Series 5: Grace Louise Spencer McCray, 1945 – 1997.
  
  
  • Series 6: Sharon Ann McCray, 1958 – 1968.
  
  
  • Series 7: Joyce Anita McCray, 1965 – 1975.

• Sub-section 2.1: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Spencer and McCray families jointly), 1967 – 1987. 1 folder (4 items)
  
  Publications of and about Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, in which members of the McCray and Spencer families held memberships. Included is the 1967 issue of Delegate, which calls itself “The anthology and voice of the Black convention delegate.” Delegate is a publication containing information on African American conventions held each year; in this issue are pages for both fraternal organizations. Alpha Phi Alpha publications include a “Report of the Midwestern Vice-President: Judge Billy Jones,” to the 61st General Convention, 4 – 10 Aug., 1967, Los Angeles, and the program for “A Cultural Panorama,” a youth talent show, 3 Mar. 1968, sponsored by the Eta Beta Lambda Chapter in Wichita that lists both John J. McCray, Jr, as well as Joyce McCray. There is also a program booklet for “Catch a Rising Star,” the “second annual Rhomania” (1987) awards recognition, dinner, and dance sponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho in Wichita. Billy Q. McCray was an honoree, and a short synopsis of his life is included. Other material about John J. McCray, Jr., is in sub-section 2.3, series 1, folder 1, and sub-section 2.3, series 4; other items pertaining to Joyce McCray are in sub-section 2.3, series 1, folder 1, and series 7; and other documents related to Billy McCray are in sub-section 2.3, series 1, folder 1, and series 3.
  
  Organized so that the Delegate is first, information about Alpha Phi Alpha second, and the Sigma Gamma Rho program third.



• Sub-section 2.2: Spencer Family, [1960?] – 1987. 0.2 ft. (4 folders)
  
  
  • Series 1: KYLIE & LUCILLE SPENCER, 1971 – 1987. 1 folder (4 items)
    
    Two inventories of belongings, 1971 – 1972; a Wichita Fire Dept. Residential Survey: Fire Safety Check, 11 May 1987; and a note thanking friends for assistance “in our hours of sorrow.” Other items pertaining to Kylie Spencer are in series 2. Other items relating to Lucille Spencer are in section 1 and sub-section 2.2, series 3.
    
    Items arranged chronologically with the undated note at the end.
  
  
  
  • Series 2: KYLIE SPENCER, 1972 – 1983. 1 folder (2 items)
    
    Included is a 28 May 1972 service leaflet from Tabernacle Baptist Church, Wichita, containing names of members and holograph (handwritten) annotations, possibly a notes for a talk given at the church, and Kylie Spencer’s funeral leaflet, 21 Mar. 1983. Other items pertaining to Kylie Spencer are in series 1.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Series 3: LUCILLE SPENCER, [1960?] -- 1985. 1 folder (6 items)
    
    There is some personal correspondence, Aug. 1972 – Feb. 1973, and 2 spiral notebooks: the first primarily a journal of household financial accounts, 1981 – 1985, the second containing notes that appear to relate to education, teaching, and integration in Wichita public schools, [1960?] – 1969; a 1979 Christmas card list; pattern texts for documents; and notes, possibly pertaining to religious study. Other items pertaining to Lucille Spencer are in section 1, and sub-section 2.2, series 1.
  
  
  
  • Series 4: ARTHUR J. SPENCER : [data 1959 – 1972], [documents created] 1969 – 1972. 1 folder (12 items)
    
    There is a transcript, a congratulatory letter, a fingerprint record, some personal correspondence, his work record, voter registration, and a funeral leaflet.



• Sub-section 2.3: McCray Family, 1943 – 1990. 0.6 ft. (12 folders)
  
  
  • Series 1: MULTIPLE MEMBERS, [not before 1963] – 1990. 0.25 ft. (6 folders)
    
    Newspapers, programs, histories, membership lists, by-laws, handbooks, yearbooks, commemorative booklets, and other published information from and about organizations in which more than 1 member of the McCray family was involved, either as a member, participant, honoree, or advertiser.
    
    Organized by the name of the organization or the format of the material.
  
  
  
  • Folder 1: Newspapers, 1967 – 1973. 1 folder (6 items)
    
    The News-Hawk is an example of a weekly African-American newspaper in the 1960s; the 22 – 29 June 1967 (v. 2, no. 19), and p. 7 – 10 of the 22 May 1968 issues are in this folder. Sharon McCray is pictured as a 1968 high school graduate of Wichita Heights and Billy McCray is an advertiser in the 1967 issue. The Heights Highlighters (Wichita High School Heights; 4 issues from v. 12 [1972/73] are included in these records) have photos of John and Joyce McCray. Other items relating to Sharon McCray are in series 6. Other materials pertaining to Billy McCray appear in sub-sections 2.1 and 2.3, series 3. Other references to John J. McCray, Jr., are in sub-sections 2.1 and 2.3, series 4.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Folder 2: Alpha Kappa Alpha, 1965 – 1982. 1 folder (3 items)
    
    Three programs booklets are found here and are entitled “Home,” a play, and “One Touch of Venus” & “An Evening in Paris” which lists participants in debutante balls.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Folder 3: Delta Sigma Theta, [not before 1963] – 1990. 1 folder (12 items)
    
    Included are important information about the sorority; items to aid members in developing self-esteem; an Alpha Phi Chapter (Wichita) membership list, by-laws, handbook, & yearbook (1970/71); and programs for the Sweetheart Ball (1970), Miss black Kansas (1971) & Miss Black Teenage America (1972) beauty pageants, a workshop (1972), & a Founder’s Day celebration (1990). The booklets contain pictures of participants and their parents as well as advertisements.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Folder 4: Les Fleurs, Inc., 1973 – 1975. 1 folder (5 items)
    
    A program for their 3rd annual Presentation (1973) and information sheets about a 1974 trip to Colorado, the 1975 Presentation, & the 1975 scholarship competition.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Folder 5: St. Paul A.M.E. Church (Wichita, Kan.), 1975. 1 item (48 p.)
    
    A booklet celebrating 100 years of the church (1875-1975).
  
  
  
  • Folder 6: Links, Inc. Wichita Chapter, Apr. 30, 1977. 1 item (124 p.)
    
    Program booklet for the 2nd annual Beautillion, 30 Apr. 1977, Wichita.
  
  
  
  • Series 2: IVORY B. McCRAY, Jan. 19, 1977. [4] p.
    
    Ivory B. McCray’s funeral leaflet, 19 Jan. 1977.
  
  
  
  • Series 3: BILLY Q. McCRAY, Oct. 31, 1973. 24 p.
    
    The first issue of the magazine 67214, 31 Oct. 1973, which covers Wichita’s Black community; Billy McCray was an advertiser. Other items pertaining to Billy McCray are in sub-section 2.1 and sub-section 2.3, series 1, folder 1.
  
  
  
  • Series 4: JOHN JOEL McCRAY, JR., 1943 – 1983. 0.25 ft. (1 folder)
    
    Military awards and records, transcripts, commencement programs, professional awards, letters of recommendation, a short article on drug use in schools, Board of Education certificates, fraternity & civic awards, Presidential awards from Presidents Truman & Reagan, a professional pamphlet, a funeral leaflet, school newspapers (Washington Informer, Booker T. Washington High School, Enid, Okla., v. 1, no. 3 [Mar. 9, 1951], and West Word, Wichita High School West, v. 20, no. 6 [Nov. 13, 1972]); and the 1974 issue (v. 21) of Trail, the Wichita West yearbook. Other items pertaining to John J. McCray, Jr., are in sub-section 2.1 and sub-section 2.3, series 1, folder 1.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Series 5: GRACE LOUISE SPENCER McCRAY, 1945 – 1997. 1 folder (10 items)
    
    Grades, commencement announcements, commencement programs, her high school diploma, teacher’s certificates, a certificate of appreciation, high school graduation exercises, and a 1997 annual report of the Knox Center in Wichita.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Series 6: SHARON ANN McCRAY, 1958 – 1968. 1 folder (12 items)
    
    A Mother’s Day card she made as a child; report cards, 1958 – 1964; “Certificate of Election” & “Oath of Office” for the American Legion County Government program in Sedgwick County, Kans., 1967; a National Forensic League membership certificate, 1967; a Kansas State High Schools Activities Association first division award at the District Speech and Drama Festival, 1967; a 1968 Wichita High School Heights junior-senior prom program; a 1968 Wichita public high schools Senior Convocation program; and a Wichita Heights graduation announcement, 1968. Other items pertaining to Sharon McCray are in series 1.
    
    Arranged chronologically.
  
  
  
  • Series 7: JOYCE ANITA McCRAY, 1965 – 1975. 1 folder (9 items)
    
    A Buckner School (Wichita, Kan.) directory, 1965/66; a Greater Wichita Athletic League Handbook, 1971/72; report cards, 1974 – 1975; a Wichita High School Heights orchestra & stage band concert program, 1974; a Wichita Heights graduation announcement, 1975; and two issues (v. 1 [Nov. 5, 1970], and v. 6, no. 44 [Oct. 30, 1975]), of the Wichita Times, the latter issue featuring a photo of Joyce at Emporia State University (Kan.) Other items pertaining to Joyce McCray are in sub-section 2.1 and sub-section 2.3, series 1, folder 1.
    
    Arranged chronologically except for the 1970 newspaper that is filed with the 1975 issue.

Summary: Appendix A: LIST OF COMMUNITY PUBLICATIONS, [19--] – 1993 (Section 3)


Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Oklahoma State Conference. Oklahoma State Conference of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. : ΑΦΑ : host chapter, Beta Eta Lambda Chapter, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. — [Oklahoma City, Okla. : Oklahoma State Conference, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 1966].

The Ebony shopper. v. 7, no. 4 (Feb. 19, 1993).

Inter com. v. 16, no. 6 (Feb. 15, 1974).

Memorial service : Dr. Martin Luther King, 1929 – 1968. — [Wichita, Kan., s.n.,] 1968.

Montgomery, Lincoln E. Your people will be my people; your God will be my God : a pageant in three acts / written by Rev. Lincoln E. Montgomery. — [Wichita, Kan. : Tabernacle Baptist Church], 1991.

National Sunday School and B.T.U. Congress (67th : 1972 : Wichita, Kan.). Pre-Congress musical : June 19, 1972. — [Wichita, Kan.? : National Sunday School and B.T.U. Congress?] 1972.

Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau. Guest guide : Wichita, Kansas : center city, USA. — Wichita, Kan. : Convention and Visitors Bureau, [197_?].

Wichita High School East. Business Club. Constitution and by-laws (revised). — [Wichita, Kan. : Business Club of Wichita High School East, 19--].


Appendix B: LIST OF PUBLICATIONS IN THE COLLECTION BY TITLE WITH LOCATIONS WITHIN THE COLLECTION

• The Armstrong Family Reunion, July 20 – 23, 1995, Wichita, Kansas: section 1


• Armstrong Family Reunion Dinner / Dance, Toledo, Ohio, July 5th, 1991: section 1


• Beth Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Present "Home," by Samm-Art Williams, the Negro Ensemble Company, … September 17, 18, 1982: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 2


• [Buckner School and PTA (Wichita, Kans.) Directory,] 1965 / 66: sub-section 2.3, ser. 7


• "Catch a Rising Star," Second Annual Rhomania (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.): sub-section 2.1


• Class of 1950 (Langston University commencement invitation, July 28, 1950): sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• Clearview Public Schools Presents Senior Graduation Exercises, Clearview High School Auditorium, May 15, 1947 … (Clearview, Okla.): sub-section 2.3, ser. 5


• Commencement Exercises of Booker T. Washington Junior and Senior High School, Enid, Oklahoma … May 26, 29, and June 1, 1955 … : sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• Constitution and By-laws (Revised) (Business Club of Wichita High School East): section 3


• A Cultural Panorama (Alpha Phi Alpha, Eta Beta Lambda Chapter): sub-section 2.1


• Delegate. 1967: sub-section 2.1
• "Delta — Together Again" … Wichita, Kansas, November 18, 1972 (Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.): sub-section 2.2, ser. 1, folder 3


• Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., Presents Quarter Finals, Miss Black Kansas Beauty Pageant … Wichita, Kansas, July 23, 1971 … : sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Presents Sweetheart Ball … February 13, 1970: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., Wichita Alumnae Chapter, Presents Miss Black Teenage America Beauty Pageant, Wichita Finals … May 13, 1972 …: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• "Delta Women Then and Now," Wichita Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. … 77th Founder's Day Celebration, January 27, 1990 … Wichita, Kansas: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• The Ebony Shopper. v. 7, no. 4 (Feb. 19, 1993): section 3


• 1875 – 1975: St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church … Wichita, Kansas …: Our Centennial Year: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 5


• Eta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Presents A Cultural Panorama: sub-section 2.1


• "An Evening in Paris": Beta Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Presents Its Sixth Debutante Ball … November 4, 1967: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 2


• The Greater Wichita Athletic League Handbook 1971 – 72: sub-section 2.3, ser. 7


• Guest Guide: Wichita, Kansas: Center City, USA: section 3


• Heights Highlighter (Wichita High School Heights): sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 1


• "Home" (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Kappa Omega Chapter; Negro Ensemble Company): sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 2


• In Loving Memory of Mr. Arthur Jerome Spencer, Dec. 27, 1932 – Nov. 12, 1972: sub-section 2.2, ser. 4


• In Loving Memory of William Taylor Atwater: sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• In Memory of Dr. John J. McCray, Jr., December 1, 1923 – June 2, 1983: sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• In Memory of Mr. Kylie Spencer, November 7, 1899 – March 17, 1983: sub section 2.2, ser. 1


• Inter Com. v. 16, no. 6 (Feb. 15, 1974): section 3


• John J. McCray, Jr. Ph.D., Consultant – Lecturer: sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• Knox Center, the Guiding Light of Hope: Knox Center, 1997 Agency Report: sub-section 2.3, ser. 5


• Langston University. Class of 1950. Commencement invitation, July 28, 1950: sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• Les Fleurs Civic and Social Club of Wichita Presents Its Third Annual Presentation … March 31, 1973: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 4


• Les Fleurs 1973 Presentation: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 4


• "Lucille Spencer, Teacher, Retires" (newspaper clipping): section 1


• Links Beautillion 1977: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 6


• Memorial service : Dr. Martin Luther King, 1929 – 1968: section 3


• Memorial Services for Mrs. Ivory B. McCray, March 10, 1900 – January 14, 1977, Avery Chapel A.M.E. Church … Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Wednesday, January 19, 1977 … : sub-section 2.3, ser. 2


• MSSC News, undated: sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• New Directions 1976: First Annual Senior Cotillion Ball … November 8, 1975: sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• News-Hawk: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 1


• 1970 – 71 Yearbook: … Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Wichita, Kansas: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• Oklahoma State Conference of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. … : section 3


• "One Touch of Venus": Beta Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Presents Its Fourth Debutante Ball … November 6, 1965: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 2


• Orchestra and Stage Band in Concert, Thursday, November 7, 1974 … (Wichita Heights High School): sub-section 2.3, ser. 7


• Our Centennial Year (St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church): sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 5


• Phi Delta Kappa: Professional Fraternity for Men in Education (napkin): sub-section 2.3, ser.4


• Pre-Congress Musical: June 19, 1972 (National Sunday School and B.T.U. Congress, 67th, Wichita, Kans., 1972): section 3


• Presentation (Les Fleurs, Inc.): sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 4


• The Public Is Cordially Invited to Witness the Commencement Exercises of Booker T. Washington Junior and Senior High School, Enid, Oklahoma … May 26, 29, and June 1, 1955 … : sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• The Pyramid Handbook: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Zeta Beta Chapter of of Delta Sigma Theta of Wichita, Kans.: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• Report of Midwestern Vice-President, Judge Billy Jones, East St. Louis, Illinois, Sixty-First Anniversary General Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Convention: August 4 – 10, 1967, Los Angeles, California: sub-section 2.1


• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Presents "Catch a Rising Star," Second Annual Rhomania: sub-section 2.1


• Sisterhood Workshop: "Delta — Together Again" … Wichita, Kansas, November 18, 1972 (Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.): sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• 67214 Magazine. v. 1, no. 1 (Oct. 31, 1973): sub-section 2.3, ser. 3


• Sweetheart Ball (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Wichita Alumnae Chapter): sub-section 2.2, ser. 1, folder 3


• Tabernacle Baptist Church, Wichita, Kansas [service leaflet]. May 28, 1972: sub-section 2.2, ser. 1


• Tahitian Holiday (Wichita Heights High School prom program, 1968): sub-section 2.3, ser. 6


• Trail. v. 21 (1974) (Wichita High School West): sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• University of Wichita, 1963 [commencement announcement]: sub-section 2.3, ser. 5


• University of Wichita: Thirty-seventh Annual Commencement: Sixty-fifth Annual Commencement of Fairmount College, Sunday Evening, June the Ninth, Nineteen Hundred and Sixty-three [program]: sub-section 2.3, ser. 5


• The Washington Informer. v. 1, no. 3 (Mar. 9, 1951) (Booker T. Washington High School, Enid, Okla.): sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• Welcome to the Junior – Senior Prom of Wichita Heights High School … Saturday Evening, May Fourth, Nineteen-Hundred Sixty-Eight: sub-section 2.3, ser. 6


• West Word. v. 20, no. 6 (Nov. 13, 1972) (Wichita High School West): sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• Wichita Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. … 77th Founder's Day Celebration, January 27, 1990 … Wichita, Kansas: sub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 3


• Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Presents a Sisterhood Workshop: "Delta — Together Again" … Wichita, Kansas, November 18, 1972: sub-section 2.2, ser. 1, folder 3


• Wichita Chapter of Links Inc., Presents Second Annual Beautillion with Peace – Love – Soul – Progress" … Saturday, April 30, 1977 … Wichita, Kansas: msub-section 2.3, ser. 1, folder 6


• Wichita Heights ‘HS,' 1968 [commencement announcement]: sub-section 2.3, ser. 6


• Wichita Heights ‘HS,' 1975 [commencement announcement]: sub-section 2.3, ser. 7


• Wichita Heights High School, Music Department, Presents the Orchestra and Stage Band in Concert, Thursday, November 7, 1974 … : sub-section 2.3, ser. 7


• Wichita Public High Schools: Senior Convocation … Wichita State University Field House, Sunday May 19, 1968: sub-section 2.3, ser. 6


• Wichita Public Schools Inter Com. v. 16, no. 6 (Feb. 15, 1974): section 3


• "The Wichita Public Schools' Role in Dealing with Drug Problem," by John McCray, Ph.D., Coordinator, Pupil Welfare and Attendance, MSSC News, undated: sub-section 2.3, ser. 4


• The Wichita Times: sub-section 2.3, ser. 7


• Your People Will Be My People; Your God Will Be My God : A Pageant in Three Acts / Written by Rev. Lincoln E. Montgomery: section 3

Language note: English

Biog. Sketch (Full):

Molly B. and Charles Armstrong were the parents of Lucille Armstrong. Lucille married Kylie Spencer, and they were the parents of Arthur Jerome Spencer who married La Vona Neely and Grace Louise Spencer who married John Joel McCray, Jr.

John Joel McCray and Ivory B McCray had John Joel McCray, Jr., who married Grace Louise Spencer. John and Grace Louise had three children: Sharon Ann (Schooler), Joyce Anita (Pearson), and John Arthur.

William Quincy McCray, who was known as Billy or Billy Q., was the younger child of John and Ivory McCray. He was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate, a Sedgwick County commissioner, and active in many other civic and political organizations. He married Wyvette William.

Scope and content:

The African American community of Wichita, Kansas, has had strong representation from the Armstrong, McCray and Spencer families. Through intermarriage, these families have left their mark not only on the Black community but also the city of Wichita at large. From professions such as teacher, or politician, or military service to volunteer activities through fraternities or sororities, their church, or family reunions, these three families are seen as leaders in Wichita.

It is obvious that a sense of community and family exists within this collection. The African American community of Wichita and the Armstrong, McCray and Spencer families are shown as full and viable members of the community at large as well as their own smaller circles. The records encompass, civic, educational, professional religious and social aspects of the family and how it interacts both within the family and outside of the family in the Greater Wichita area.

Billy Quincy McCray’s Papers, 1975 – 1984, fourteen linear feet, containing records of his Kansas Senate service, are held by the Kansas Collection, Spencer Library, University of Kansas (Lawrence). A copy of the finding aid is on-line at http://etext.ku.edu/view?docId=ksrlead/ksrl.kc.mccraybillyq.xml;route=ksrlead;brand=ksrlead;query=

Contents: Section 1. Armstrong family reunions, 1991-1998 -- section 2. Spencer and McCray families, 1943-1990 -- section 3. Community publications, [19-]-1993

Associated materials: Papers of Billy Quincy McCray, 1975-1985, 14 linear ft. (14 boxes), are at the University of Kansas Libraries (Lawrence), Kenneth Spencer Research Library, Kansas Collection: Collection RH MS 430; http://etext.ku.edu/view?docId=ksrlead/ksrl.kc.mccraybillyq.xml;route=ksrlead;brand=ksrlead;query=

Other Finding Aid/Index: Register (finding aid) available on the microfilm and in the Kansas State Historical Society reference room

Related materials:

Bankers Mortgage Corporation and Affiliated Companies collection, Ms. Collection no. 95

Edward & Mabel Dewhirst Henderson collection, Ms. Collection no. 193

Richard M. Long collection, Ms. Collection no. 48

Billy Quincy McCray collection, Kansas Collection, Spencer Library, University of Kansas (Lawrence)

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Kansas Branch Office Files, Microfilm MS 1386 – MS 1396

Papers of the NAACP. Part 3, The Campaign for Educational Equality.

• Series A, Legal Dept. and Central Office records, 1913 - 1950, Microfilm MF 4649 - MF 4672


• Series B, Legal Dept. and Central Office records, 1940 - 1950, Microfilm MF 4678 – MF 4696


• Series C, Legal Dept. and Central Office records, 1951 - 1955, Microfilm MF 4697 – MF 4719


• Series D, Central Office records, 1956 - 1965, Microfilm MF 4720 - MF 4732

Restrictions: None

Use and reproduction:

Notice: This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The user is cautioned that the publication of the contents of these records may be construed as constituting a violation of literary property rights. These rights derive from the principle of common law, affirmed in the copyright law of 1976 as amended, that the writer of an unpublished letter or other manuscript has the sole right to publish the contents thereof unless he or she affirmatively parts with that right; the right descends to his or her legal heirs regardless of the ownership of the physical manuscript itself. It is the responsibility of a user or his or her publisher to secure the permission of the owner of literary property rights in unpublished writing.

Copyright has not been transferred to the Kansas State Historical Society at the time of microfilming, consequently literary rights are presumed to be owned by the creators of individual documents, their heirs, or assigns.

Reproduction: Microfilm. Topeka, Kan. : Kansas State Historical Society, 2005; roll MF 6816, available for research or inter-library loan.

Cite as:

Footnote: [item, folder, series, and/or section], McCray Family Papers, 1943 – 1998, Kansas State Historical Society microfilm MF 6816.

Bibliography: McCray Family Papers, 1943 – 1998, Kansas State Historical Society microfilm MF 6816.

Action note:

Collection evaluated by Margaret Briggs Knecht, Robert L. Knecht, & Nancy Sherbert; prepared for microfilming by Robert L. Knecht & Joseph Laframboise; and the collection register written by Joseph Laframboise, 2005.

Some offered items, such as newspapers and other publications already owned by the Kansas State Historical Society, were not microfilmed. Processing archivists also excluded some items that they determined did not have long-term informational value such as receipts, transactional documents, memorandums, and children’s notes.

Accumulation/Freq. Of Use: Additions to the collection are possible but unplanned at this time.

Holder of originals: Originals in the possession of the lender.

Holder of duplicates: Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka)