Obituary of Ora S. McCullough

MORRISTOWN---Ora S. ("Ora Lee") McCullough died suddenly on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at Morristown Memorial Hospital. She was born September 30, 1928 to the late Willie Smith and Madie Peacock Smith in Johnston County, NC. She received her primary and secondary education in Raleigh, NC and earned her bachelor's degree in education from Shaw University, also Raleigh. After meeting and marrying John McCullough, she moved to New Jersey and had been a resident of Morristown for the past 50 years. Prior to moving to New Jersey, Ora taught at Short Journey School in Raleigh. Upon moving to New Jersey, she worked at various positions before obtaining a position with the Rockaway Township School District, teaching second grade at the Dennis B. O'Brien School, then the Mt. Hope School. Ora taught her students with love and endurance for 35 years before retiring in 1994. Additionally, Ora was a founding member of the CHETS program (Community Helpers Emphasizing Teenage Support) and served as their long-time treasurer. With the program, she worked with eighth graders, preparing them for their new adventures in High School. She was also a Golden Life Member and board member of the Morris County Branch of the NAACP. In addition to her community activities, Ora was an active member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Boonton Township, where she was a Deaconess, member and treasurer of the Sunday School and served on the Missionary Board. She was an avid traveler and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Clyde Smith in 1994 and a sister, Doris Smith Whitaker in 2010. Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her husband of 55 years, John McCullough; a daughter, Wanda Simmons and her husband Brett of Forks Township, PA; a sister, Reno Odessa Smith of Morristown; a brother, James Edward Smith, also Morristown; four grandchildren, Lauren, Brandon, Deirdre and Jonathan Simmons; a great granddaughter, Makayla Simmons; her nieces, Hope Salter, Oreno Faye Hooker, Sharon Smith, Vanessa Logan and Tonya Smith and her nephews, Kenneth Whitaker and James Smith. Also surviving are numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 9th at 11:00 A.M. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Boonton Township with interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Boonton. Friends may call Tuesday from 7-9 PM at the church. Memorial contributions in Ora's name may be made to the Scholarship Fund, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 4 Church Road, Boonton Township, NJ 07005. Envelopes will be available at the church. Arrangements are by Mackey Funeral Home (mackeyfh.com), 107 Essex Ave., Boonton.