Crystal accepted Christ at an early age at Beulah Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. W. C. Holmes. She matriculated at Melrose High School, graduating in the first class from the “new” school in 1973. She then went to Shelby State Community College, where she graduated with her Associates Degree. She then attended Memphis State University, graduating with her Teacher’s certificate and Degree in Education. It was during this time that Crystal’s entire purpose in life was defined: the birth of her daughter Stacie Chanelle Brent. Crystal spent the rest of Stacie’s life trying to make sure that Stacie had every opportunity that could be provided to a person. When Stacie died in 2003, Crystal lost more than just a daughter. She lost a piece of her soul.
Crystal worked at the Memphis City School system for over 35 years. She worked first in the classroom, (almost 10 years at Hanley Elementary) and then the last 20 + years working for HomeBound. This allowed her to work with severely disabled students who were not able to attend a school outside of home. She had that type of patience.
After retirement, Kitdy, as her brother called her, spent a lot of it with her nieces, Kierstyn and Arielle. She loved taking them places, picking them up, buying them things, and taking their side when they were mad at their daddy.
Kitdy made sure that everyone she ever met who needed help, got help. She fed thousands, literally thousands of people, without ever asking for anything for her generosity. She was always willing to help family and friends financially, or providing them with a place to stay. She was truly one of a kind: a special person. Her love of cooking, clothes and shoes always gave her something to do. She loved to travel, and was always going on some kind of church trip or cruise or something, to keep moving.
Kitdy went to meet Stacie and Momma on August 4, 2022 at her home. She will be truly missed. Very truly missed. She leaves a legacy of love, and a great number of people will miss her terribly: so many, that we can’t name them all. Her brother Kevin, Andrea her sister in law, her nephew Adam (Suzan), her nieces Kierstyn and Arielle, and her great-nephew Jah, will mourn her forever. She will be missed by her close friends Lorian Stewart, Ackney Jean Washington, Tyler(Bim) Glover, Jerry and Lynn Crum, Willa Hill, Carole Randolph, and all who have been there for her these last years of her illness. There are a number of relatives and friends who are saddened by her passing, but Betty Buggs Smith, Yolanda (Sweetie) Dillard and Phil Lacey have been especially good to her. Marquis Lacey has shown himself to be like a son to her, and not a cousin. He is appreciated now, and was appreciated before her death.
The family will receive friends Friday, August 12, 2022 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at R S Lewis & Sons located at 2944 Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis, Tennessee 38111. Funeral service will be Saturday, August 13,2022 at 10:00am at New Era Baptist Church located at 797 Laurel St., Memphis ,TN 38114.
Internment will be in Calvary Cemetery following the funeral service