On Monday August 23, 1937, Ola Mae McRae made the ultimate sacrifice giving birth to her baby Joseph Cinclair McRae, Jr.  Although she departed life that day, his father Joseph Sr. and his siblings with the assistance of the Mozell family reared and raised Joseph. The tragic loss of his mother during childbirth gifted Joseph with a relentless heart of gratitude for her sacrifice and he honored and gave allegiance to her throughout his lifetime.

In 1943, Joseph entered the public school system of Miami Dade, Florida, attending JRE Lee K-8 School and George Washington Carver High School. After graduating from George Washington Carver, as a member of the "Class of 1956", Joseph was accepted in South Carolina State University and in addition to his academic studies, played fullback on the university's football team. After two years at the university, he decided to sign with the Green Bay Packers Football Team (1959). After a short-lived term, due to drastic climate change, (Florida vs Wisconsin) he resigned and returned home.

In the mid-1960s, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Sarah Fuller, and God added to this union a beautiful, loving and caring daughter, Utonda. Through other marital relationships, which followed, the Lord again blessed and added to his seeds a proud and wonderful son, Joseph McRae, Jr (III), and again, a loving and cherished daughter, Kamilah McRae.

Professionally, Joseph worked for Miami Dade College in the Janitorial department; Borden Milk as a driver and delivery man and later began working for Miami-Dade Transit Authority. In 1984, due to his stellar skills as an operator, Joseph was selected as a part of the first Train Operator class for Metro Dade Tri-Rail Operators. After retirement, he resided in Atlanta, Georgia. He began working as Security for Greater Atlanta Christian School, where he garnered the love and respect of his supervisors, colleagues and the students.

Joseph was an avid sports person across the board, but his favorites were football, basketball, baseball, boxing. He was very reminiscent of the years he participated in those sports with a tone of bragging about his athleticism. Things he cherished, charmed him most, and that were most dear to his heart was: his father's legacy, his grandchildren, growing up with his siblings, family ties and lifetime friends. There was hardly a conversation he would have with anyone, that didn't end without bragging about his father … the man he was, his wisdom, the principles he stood on, the teachings in simple terms yet explosive in everyday life, the upbringing he provided, hard work, and above all the love he exemplified.

Spiritually, he grew up in a Christian home environment and accepted the Lord and was taught to love the Lord with all his heart, to recognize and reverence God as the only true and living God, and ultimately, acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. These teachings led him to baptism at an early age, and regardless how he strayed away, his faith and belief were the bedrock of God's saving grace and promise of eternal life to those who put their trust in Him. Outwardly, he was baptized many years ago, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, in South Miami, Florida. Throughout his life, he held membership and fellowship with other local churches to include Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church. In his last days of hospitalization, he revealed that he was preparing and processing for eternal life.

Today, as we remember Joseph, we remember a man who accomplished much in his personal and professional endeavors but put Christ FIRST! He loved God and was dedicated to fulfilling the works God had commanded him to do. He supported his "riders" and often paid for their rides. He recognized the status or lack thereof of individuals and never judged. He was a good man, with good intentions and a good heart. He loved, cared for and spoke highly of his Dad and Mother.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the day of his sister Ora Lee's birth, Joseph Cinclair McRae, Jr. departed this life