Christine Taylor Crutchfield passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024 peacefully at her home with her beloved husband of 67 years by her side. Christine was born in Sulligent, Alabama to Minnie Mae Chandler Taylor and Murray Lee Taylor, who lived at that time in the Military Grove Community. They moved to Oak Hill Community when Christine was three years old. She and her sister, Maurine, would go to the cotton fields with their parents when they were working in the fields. Christine attended Oak Hill School, Lamar County Elementary and High School, graduating in 1954.
Christine met Billy Ray Crutchfield at a Methodist Youth Fellowship event at Oak Hill United Methodist Church and they began dating in June, 1956 and were married on her birthday, December 22, 1956. Christine worked at Sulligent Clinic, assisting the doctors and nurses who trained her.
Christine became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and from 1972-1988 was Administrator of Red Bay Nursing Home. She took much pride and joy in managing Red Bay Nursing Home, with a heart for those who lived there, building caring employee relationships and lifelong friendships with those who worked with her. Christine was a member of First United Methodist Church, Red Bay, was a soprano in the choir for many years and active in her Sunday School Class and Guild Circle. She was an avid flower gardener and collector of antiques, two things she and Bill enjoyed together. She was a wonderful cook, known for her delicious dishes and desserts, especially Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies and Icebox Pecan Pies, she brought to covered dish dinners at church. Her family loved her biscuits and she gave lessons to anyone who wanted to try making them. Christine was devoted to her faith, her family and friends. She loved it when her house was full of family, food was on the table and everyone was together. She was the heart of her home.
Services will be Thursday, July 18, at First United Methodist Church, Red Bay with Rev. Tyler Blevins and Rev. Dallas Culver officiating. Visitation will be 10-12 with the service beginning at noon. Burial will be in Crews Cemetery near Sulligent, Alabama.
Deaton Funeral Home, Red Bay, AL will be in charge of arrangements.
Christine was a loving Mother to Sheryl Crutchfield Purcell, Annette Crutchfield, Suzette Crutchfield and Jeffrey Crutchfield (Rhonda) and delighted in her grandchildren, Jonathan Purcell (Julie Devarenne), Christian Purcell (Laura Jones), Evan Purcell, Alicia Taylor Crutchfield and Amanda Rae Watkins (Zachary) and a great-grandson, Isaac Noe Devarenne Purcell. Paul VanderMeer and Jon VanderMeer have also been a part of the family for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Maurine Taylor Hollis and brother-in-law, Dempsey Hollis; her niece, Wanda Hollis Cooper and nephews, Gary Hollis and Steve Hollis.
Pallbearers will be Johnnie Weatherford, Gary Page, Chuck Cashion, Dwayne Palmer, Brent Jeffreys and Gary McKinney.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Affinity Hospice, especially to Amanda and Ty, for their assistance and kindness in caring for Christine.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church, Red Bay or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.s.jude.org.
