Bessie Marie Crosby

Obituary for Mother Bessie Marie Crosby
February 5, 1929 – August 29, 2016
On February 5th, 1929 in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Mother Bessie Crosby became the first born daughter of Melvin Carter and Cedoria Pearl Williams. During the first years of her life, she lived with her parents and younger sister, also named Cedoria Pearl, in Ardmore Oklahoma.
In the early 1930s, Bessie, her mother and sister relocated to Stockton, California.
Bessie was a student at Stockton High School. She graduated with the Class of 1948.
Hired by San Joaquin County in October 1950, Bessie worked for The San Joaquin County Hospital as a nurses assistant and a clerk in the X-ray department. She was a dedicated and faithful employee until her retirement in 1984.
Bessie met her partner and love-of-her life, Harold Crosby at the end of the 1940s. Under the watchful eye of Bessie's mother, Harold courted Bessie. The courtship blossomed to love, from love came life-long commitment. On June 3rd, 1951, they joined as husband and wife in a marriage lasting fifty-two years. To this marriage four children were born.
In addition to her devotion to her husband and children, Mother Crosby was strong in her faith: At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Savior. This acceptance set in motion her life-long work and allegiance to the church. As a young woman, she was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Stockton California: She was active in The Matrons, Junior Mission and Baptist Training Union and in Sunday School. In 1952, her husband accepted the call to spread the gospel, and he was ordained to the ministry. For more than forty years, Mother Crosby supported and worked side-by-side with Reverend Harold in their missionary, ministry and pastoral work. As a pastor's wife, Mother Crosby rolled up her sleeves and worked with alacrity for the benefit of the churches they led and to spread the Word-of-God.
As Mother Crosby entered the golden years, her spiritual life continued to flourish: She served as a leader and active member of the International Bible Study Group known as B.S.F. In addition, after a membership of more than thirty years with The Emmanuel Baptist Church, Mother Crosby and Reverend Harold joined a group of fellow worshipers who yearned to begin anew, and they started the Progressive Community Baptist Church in 1993. As a charter member of Progressive, Mother Crosby was devoted to the Mother's Board, The Casa Del Sol Fellowship, The Women's Ministry, The Prime Timers, The Daughters of the King and she served as a Sunday School teacher. Playing a role in and experiencing the success of Progressive's growth and in spreading God's word was one of the great joys of her life.
She is survived by: her children, Harold, Frank, Carleton and Paula Crosby; grandchildren, Kai, Manuel and Carmen Crosby and Jeremy McMath; sisters, Cedoria Pearl Williams, Nell Maggot and Patricia Bailey; brothers, Cleve Carter, Samuel Carter and Jerry Carter; daughter-in-law, Carol Beck Crosby; great-grandchildren, Jaylind, Nicholas and Kamryn McMath; a brother-in-law; seven sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, her Progressive Church family and many dear friends.
On the night of August 29, 2016, Mother Bessie Crosby took her leave and joined the loved ones who have preceded her in death; beloved husband, Reverend Harold Crosby; mother, Cedoria Pearl Williams; father, Melvin Carter; brothers, Herbert Carter Sr., Melvin Ray Carter, Bill Carter and many dear family members and friends.

A parting haiku
Storms weathered life complete
Nature gives life eternal
Always! We cherish you