A Celebration of Life for Mary Magdalene Goodlow-Crayton, 90 of Hillsboro will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at Wheeler Chapel Full Gospel Church with Bishop Thomas Davis Jr. officiating and inhumation to follow in Calvary Memorial Gardens. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the funeral.
Public viewing will be Monday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Reynolds Funeral Home.
Mother Crayton “Tootsie” was born on April 14, 1924, in Lawrence County to the late Percy Lee Sr. and Sarah Billings-Goodlow. She fulfilled her purpose in this life on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at her residence.
Mrs. Mary Crayton confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined the Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Elijah Watkins where she served faithfully. She later joined Wheeler Chapel Missionary Church under the leadership of Pastor James Smith and presently, Bishop Thomas Davis Jr.
Mrs. Crayton was very instrumental in serving her community and church. She worked many years assisting the public. She was employed as a domestic worker for over thirty years with Dr. George Hansberry where she retired with high honors and dedication.
She devotedly served in many auxiliaries of the church always utilizing her love and commitment to the Lord. She supported her role as an usher. She was the president of the usher board for many years and always stood proudly to serve as one of God’s doorkeepers. She also served as a dedicated member of the Missionary Sister’s Aide Society and wore her uniform with dignity and grace. She was the oldest member of the mother board where she took her job very seriously in guiding young ladies in the church and community. She served her church faithfully until her health failed but she still maintained her passion for the Lord and her dedication to get to Heaven.
Mrs. Mary Crayton had the charm and charisma that would capture everyone’s attention and she had an impact on the lives of all who met her. She always carried a beautiful smile and a welcoming spirit that will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kelly Crayton; two loving children, Clarence Crayton and Jamie Mae Shackelford; four siblings, Willie James Goodlow, Percy Goodlow Jr., Charles Goodlow and Louise Sears; several grand and great-grandchildren.
Mother Crayton’s victorious transition home will forever be cherished by her family and love ones, three daughters, Doris Crayton, Gloria Crayton both of Hillsboro and Florine (Ricky) Langford of Decatur; six sons, Willie Crayton of Wheeler, Riley Crayton of Huntsville, Sterling (Eva) Crayton of Courtland, Collis (Doris Ann) Crayton of Moulton, Jerry (Joyce) Crayton and Wallace (Geneice) Crayton both of Hillsboro; two loving sisters, Lillie Collins of Cleveland, OH and Sallie Eberhardt of Chattanooga, TN; one devoted brother, Dan Goodlow of Hillsboro; two sisters-in-law, Louise Goodlow of Hillsboro and Vivian Chandler of Florence; one son-in-law, Elder Ed Shackelford of Hillsboro; 56 grandchildren, 81 great-grandchildren, 24 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, church members and friends.
Flower attendants and pallbearers will be grand children. –
