Christella Rae McGrath of Miami died Sunday, March 6, 2005, at Eastwood Manor Nursing Center after a long illness. She was 87.

McGrath was born Sept. 8, 1917, in Quapaw to Wilbur and Rena (Ford) Hayes. She attended a country school in Spring River, graduating from Wyandotte High School in 1935. She lived in California and Oregon before retiring in 1983 and returning to Miami.

She worked as a bookkeeper. She was a member of the Christian Scientist faith. Her hobbies included crafts, quilting, embroidery and reading.

 She married James McGrath on Dec. 31, 1955. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1979, at Grants Pass, Ore. She was also preceded in death by one son, Dale Wiles; three sisters, Glendola Cotter, Norma Haggard and Betty Presinitz, and two brothers, Ernest Hayes and Ralph Edward Hayes.

 Survivors include five nephews and their wives, Gary and Leona Hayes of Miami, Kenneth and Patsy Hayes of Carl Junction, Mo., Jerry Cotter of Grove and Jack Morland and Eddie Morland, both of Portland, Ore., and eight nieces, Anita Underhill of Baxter Springs, Kan., Melva Neece and Janie Chapman, both of Miami, Rhonda Warehime of Bartlesville, Sammie Lou Dudley of Seabeck, Wash., Patricia and Ron True of Tulsa, Glenda Moreland of Florence, Ariz., and Deborah and Richard Spence of Washington.
 

Services were 10 a.m. March 9 at Fairland Cemetery with the Rev. Leon Weece officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Cooper-Althouse Funeral Home in Miami.