Candace Lea (McCracken) Gregory

Candace Lea McCracken Gregory was born on July 29, 1969, in Parkland, Oklahoma, at Grandma Ide’s home. At the time, her family was living in Wichita, Kansas. Shortly after Candace celebrated her first birthday, her built-in best friend, Shannon, joined the family. The two would share a lifelong bond that only grew stronger through the years. In 1974, the family moved to Vici, Oklahoma, where Candace would spend the rest of her life. In 1979, her father, Ronnie, built the family home that would become such a special part of Candace’s childhood and family history. Building the home was truly a family affair. Candace and Shannon often helped by cooking and doing whatever they could while Karen and Ronnie worked on the house. Those memories remained some of Candace’s most treasured. Candace was a lifelong Vici Indian and graduated from Vici High School with the Class of 1987. But that same year brought something even more exciting to Candace—she married the love of her life, Terry Gregory, on May 30, 1987. After their marriage, Terry and Candace lived in a small house in town before eventually returning to Candace’s childhood home. In June of 1994, they moved into the home that would become their permanent family home and the place where countless memories were made. Together, Terry and Candace welcomed four children: Lacey in October 1990, Jonna in February 1992, Jared in November 1993, and Micah in August 1997. Candace loved her children fiercely and supported them in everything they did. She and Terry rarely missed an event, but they especially loved watching their children play softball, baseball, basketball, and compete in track. They were incredibly proud of each of their accomplishments. Watching their children grow into the people they became was one of the greatest highlights of Candace’s life. At the age of 22, Candace was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn on January 19, 1992, by her brother-in-law, Alva Gregory. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. She trusted God in all things and remained steadfast in her faith throughout her life. Candace had a servant’s heart and found great joy in helping others. She loved throwing showers, planning countless events with her sidekicks, and making sure everyone at church felt welcomed, included, and cared for. She was always diligent about bringing food for every occasion and wherever she felt led to serve. If there was a need, Candace was often already figuring out how she could help. She also had a few talents that were truly her own. Nobody could pack a dishwasher or refrigerator quite like Candace. She could make room where others insisted there was none. And while she could tackle just about any recipe and make it to perfection—including adapting recipes for Terry or anyone else who needed it, but she "could not" properly flip an egg or a pancake. And if you know, you know. One of Candace’s greatest joys came in the form of her six grandkids: Cloy, Halle, Kyler, Tynslee, Hendrix, and Houston. She had decided she would be called BAM BAM, but her grandkids had other ideas. Over the years, she became BAM BAM, Bammers, Bay, and Bambi. She lovingly referred to it as her “identity crisis.” Whatever they called her, her grandkids knew exactly who she was: someone who loved them with her whole heart. Candace had a special way of making little things feel big. She made goodie bags, kept favorite snacks on hand, picked out holiday outfits, and remembered the little details that made each grandkid feel special and individually loved. She was always the first to offer to keep the kids, make a trip, or run them wherever they needed to go. She wanted to make sure they never missed an activity, and she was happiest when she was cheering them on. Candace loved following her kids and grandkids all over the United States, making memories wherever they went. She treasured every opportunity to watch them participate in the things they loved. And while her family was always her greatest priority, she and Terry also made time for trips, adventures, and special moments together. Their life together was built on love, family, faith, and countless memories. Candace’s greatest legacy will not be found in things she owned or accomplishments that can be measured. It will be found in the people she loved, the lives she touched, the meals she prepared, the events she organized, the miles she traveled to support her family, the prayers she prayed, and the countless small ways she made people feel cared for. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronnie McCracken and Karen McCracken Linder; her stepfather, Gary Linder; her father-in-law, Clyde Gregory; and her brothers-in-law, Lynn Gregory and Alva Gregory. She leaves behind her loving husband of 39 years, Terry Gregory of Vici, Oklahoma; her children, Lacey and Zach Richardson of Elk City, Oklahoma; Jonna Gregory of Mustang, Oklahoma; Jared Gregory and Baylee of Vici, Oklahoma; and Micah Gregory of Vici, Oklahoma; her six beloved grandkids, Cloy, Halle, Kyler, Tynslee, Hendrix, and Houston; her brother and lifelong best friend, Shannon McCracken and Melanie of Vici, Oklahoma; mother-in-law, Inez Gregory of Vici, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Penny Gregory of Vici, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Sonja and Melvin Boedecker of Vici, Oklahoma; brothers-in-law, Mickey Gregory and Crista of Mooreland, Oklahoma, and Greg Gregory and Misty of Vici, Oklahoma; along with numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, members of the Gary Linder family, and a host of extended family and friends. Candace’s life was a gift to everyone fortunate enough to know her. She loved deeply, served faithfully, laughed often, traveled many miles for the people she loved, and never missed an opportunity to make someone feel special. Her family will forever carry the memories of her love, her faith, her generosity, her humor, and her unmistakable way of making life and especially family matter. Though she will be deeply missed, her love will continue to live on in the family she cherished so dearly

Memorial donations may be made to the Church Of The Firstborn
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
PO Box 276
Vici, OK 73859