PHOTO BY HELEN WIGGINS
By Carley Wiggins
On July 2, 2016, the northern part of Ninth Avenue from Main Street to where the street ends several blocks away was named for a very worthy citizen of Dillon who lived on that street for a very long time. He had been on that street longer than any other living person. For those who may not have known Robert McRae, let me tell you a little about him. Mr. Rob as a lot of people called him was born on the fourth of July, 1925.
He was born the third oldest of six children to Dewey C. and Leasie McBride McRae. The McRae’s were sharecroppers, as were many African-Americans in that day and time, as well as a lot of white people too.
Robert worked on the farm, which was about the only means most people had of making a living in that day and time. In 1943, Robert joined the Army during the heat of World War II. He served his country in the European Theater serving in France, England and Belgium. When he came home, his first job was with Wilson Smith Veneer Company. Later he worked for the Truax Veneer Company. Robert married Teresa Dudley and they were man and wife for sixty seven years.
The McRaes had six children, all who became good citizens and were led in the right way by their parents. When Dixiana Mills located in Dillon, Mr. Rob was hired at the mill and retired there with twenty nine years of service. I think the most significant thing about Mr. McRae’s life was the fact that even when he worked at Dixiana, he drove a Taxi in his off time. After his retirement from Dixiana, he continued to drive for a total of 55 years. His daughter Delores shared a story with me some ten years ago about her Dad’s long career as a cab driver.
I wrote a story about Mr. Rob called “The Last Taxi Driver” which was printed in The Dillon Herald and in 2008 became a chapter in my first book. Later I wrote an article called “African-Americans in World War II” in which Mr. Rob was one of the featured subjects. I had some good conversations with Mr. Rob. He was a good level headed, no-nonsense man who always stood for truth and things that were right.
The McRaes were long time members of McCoy Chapel United Methodist Church where Mr. McRae served as treasurer for nineteen years.
At the ceremony at the unveiling of the signs naming North Ninth Avenue as ROBERT MCRAE MEMORIAL AVENUE, State Representative Jackie Hayes who was instrumental in getting the street named was the master of ceremonies. He presented Mr. Rob’s daughter, Claretha Whitfield with a resolution from the State.
There was a good gathering of family and friends as well as Pastors and people who wanted to come out and pay tribute to this fine gentleman. A lot of good tributes were spoken in honor of Mr. Rob.
Robert McRae passed away on April 26, 2015. His wife preceded him in death on October 6, 2013. They were married for 67 years.
Robert McRae had a lot of friends and is sorely missed. Now when they ride down North Ninth Avenue, they will be reminded of him and how he was a credit to his town and community.
MORE PHOTOS WILL APPEAR AT A LATER DATE
