Crezzetta Maude Thurmond

On Friday, October 16, 1925, a beautiful baby girl was born in the New Hope Community, Kilgore, Texas. She was welcomed by her parents, the late Leah and John Williams. Crezzetta was soon followed by a brother, Erastus Williams. At the young age of 4 years, Crezzetta lost her mother due to complications of childbirth. For a time "Nanny", Rock", and 'Buster" were reared by their Maternal Grandparents, Grandma Alice and Papa Charles. When her father remarried, Crezzetta became the oldest of what would eventually become 14 children.

She grew up in the New Hope Community where she attended school. She was active in sports and excelled in the game of Basketball. She loved school. As a child she joined the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where her family has attended and served for 147 years. She actively served in the church as a child and continued through adulthood until her health failed.

As a young woman, Crezzetta met and married Veas Thurmond, the love of her life. Together they raised six children. After 55 years, he preceded her in death. Her parents, stepmother, Eldora Williams, and ten of her siblings: Erastus Williams, Charles Williams, twins; Helen Jean Jones and Ernestine Smith, Calvin Williams, Wanda Robertson, Maxine Maddox, twins; Lawrence Williams and Florence Garland, and Alice Faye Williams. Her daughter, Joyce Ann Roy and son Carl Edward Thurmond all preceded her to Glory. She leaves to cherish her memories, her three siblings; John Lee Williams, Marion Johnson, and Gary Sue Arnwine; her son, James R. Thurmond (Marie); her daughters Barbara Mitchell (Calvin), Jo Frances March, Mary Anderson (Joe), and Ann Rossum (Larry); 14 grandchildren, Aleshia Whitaker Porter, Reginald King, Anthony Thurmond, Angela Thurmond, Dewan Mitchell, Madero Thurmond, Ronny Thurmond, Shurhonda Thurmond Chumbley, Kenyetta Mitchell Hickmon, Marquito Thurmond, Kevin Mitchell, Kamethia Mitchell, Jarell Anderson, and Andrea Rossum; 42 great-grandchildren, 21 great-great grandchildren; brother-in-law Norman  Gary Rossum; cousin Marion Settles-Melton, and the staff and residents the Willows in Kilgore.

Crezzetta loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally and beyond measure. She always did her best to ensure they were well educated and maintained a good work ethic. She often told them stories of how, as a young girl, she had to pick cotton and clean houses to help provide for her siblings. One of her biggest regrets was having to leave school in the 11th grade to begin working full time. Therefore, each of her children knew, "All I want is for every one of my kids to graduate." She insisted her children performed to the best of their ability so, "If anything ever happens to me, y'all will be able to take care of yourselves." Each and every one made sure she got her wish.

Having lived 98 years Crezzetta lived a full and productive life. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and pressing hair. It was her pleasure to serve others. She worked as a housekeeper for several families in Kilgore. Over the years she kept the homes and helped raise the children of Charles and Joanne Whiteside, Beau and Joyce Davidson, Lewis and Imogene Terry, and Larry and Judy Perkins. She also provided food and shelter to many siblings, nephews, nieces as well as children in the community. She could always, "Make room for one more."

“Big Momma” got her crown and wings at 3:40 A.M. on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. She passed peacefully surround by family. To God be the Glory!

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