Quitman was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, J.V. McCrory; and his grandson, Joseph Potter.

Quitman is survived by his wife of 71 years, Louise Jones McCrory; his daughter, Moneka Hinds and her husband, Harlan of Drumright, OK; his daughter, Janice Hannon and her husband, Craig of Tulsa; three grandchildren, John Quitman Hannon (Kendall) of Plano, Texas, Penny Lane of Stillwater, OK, Rebecca Hannon Jones (Aaron) of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan; as well as six great-grandchildren, Ashton and Conner McCombs, Henry and Sammy Jones, and Clyde and Suzanne Hannon. Also surviving Quitman are several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Home Instead and St. John Hospice for their love and care of Quitman.

Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51, Tulsa, OK 74145. A private family graveside will be held. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Memorial contributions may be made to FAST (Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics), P.O. Box 608, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515-0608.


The following was written by Quitman McCrory:

James Quitman McCrory, first born son of Luther and Eva McCrory, was also the first grandchild of Wilburn and Ola Cotten and was born on Grandma Ola's birthday, June 26.

Early childhood years were spent near his grandparents, David (Hutch) and Carrie McCrory, Wilburn and Ola Cotten, where he felt loved and secure.

One event stands out in Quitman's childhood: When he was 8 years old, he nearly drowned. His first cousin, Louise Threat, who was 13 years old, jumped into the lake, unable to get hold of him, literally pushed him out of the lake, saving his life.

From the beginning, Quitman felt going to school was a waste of time. It took him two years to get through the first grade. Without exception, all of his teachers felt he was slow.

Always a poor student in grade and high school, making D's and C's, in the 11th grade, he quit school.

During this time, in January of 1944, a miracle happened to Quitman: It pleased God to make Himself known to Quitman and he knew instantly that the Lord wanted him to be a preacher.
The next day, he went back to school and immediately he let it be known that he was going to be a preacher. Everybody laughed at him, knowing that he did not have any sense and that his character was questionable.

Quitman began to attend church and read the Bible for the first time in his life.
In September of 1944, he made his Profession of Faith, on his knees at the altar, had the baptism of tears. All of his friends were kneeling beside him.

The next day, he was baptised and made a speech, telling the church he was giving his heart and his entire life to Christ and the Church.

At school, his D's were now C's and his C's were B's, and in some courses for the first time in his life he made A's. The best he could do with English was a D. His English teacher still felt he was slow.

Quitman's pastor, J.L. Carter, guided him through the course of study for a license to preach, and before he was 18 years old, he had finished high school, had his license to preach, had joined the Navy, and had preached his first sermon.

After 1 year in the Navy, he began attending Millsaps College. Still having trouble with English, his English teacher, Paul Hardin, saw his possibilities and taught him how to write . . . "to tell a story".

At the end of his first year in college, Quitman worked on his Dad's farm, plowing a mule.

In July and August, he held 3 revivals - surprised with joy to discover the power of preaching. He could never understand or explain to himself or anyone what happens when people hear the old, old story of Jesus and His Love through preaching.

After 2 years in college, Quitman accepted an appointment with 4 churches. Here he met Louise. Next to Jesus, she did more to him and for him than anyone else in his life.

Leaving Mississippi in 1950 with his wife and child, Moneka, Quitman served Myra-Hood, and College Mound and Chisholm in Texas.

Quitman graduated from Perkins School of Theology at SMU in 1953. Now with Louise and 2 children, Moneka and Janice, they came to Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, he served Granite, Muskogee-Ridgecrest, Boise City, Prague, Sand Springs, Guymon, Tulsa-Memorial Drive, Duncan-First, Clinton, Tulsa-University, Muskogee-First, Miami, and Yukon-First.
After 44 years, Quitman retired and was now able to love his wife, children, and grandchildren full-time.

When he was at Guymon, Quitman became a Mason which was so helpful to him during the illness and death of his Father.

Quitman served on Conference Committees as required. He accepted the responsibility of chairman only one time - for the Boy's Ranch.

Not interested in Church politics, Quitman gave his entire ministry to being a pastor of and in local churches.

So often, in retirement, he would say to Louise - "I just don't see how I did it" . . . (then there would be a long pause) and he would say ---"I didn't. God did it through me. To Him be the Glory"