Mary Virgina “Kitty” Chambers Crump was born Aug. 1, 1924, in Lewisburg, passed from life to life eternal at home on May 10, 2025. She was the fifth child born to the late Mary and Joseph Chambers and the last survivor. She attended Bolling School and graduated from Garnet High School in 1943 in Charleston, WV. She attended Virginia State College and graduated from the Apex College of Cosmetology in Richmond, VA.
After graduation from Cosmetology School, she owned and operated a beauty shop in Lewisburg until her marriage to Charles “Sack” Crump in 1958, and they moved to Charleston. She and Sack were happily married for 68 years.
She became a member of the John Wesley United Methodist Church at the young age of 12 and left her membership at John Wesley even after moving to Charleston. She loved music and sang her first solo at age 5. She gained the affection of her future husband, Sack, when she sang “Avé Maria” one Sunday during worship. She sang in the Youth Choir and was a member of the John Wesley Senior Choir. She taught Sunday School and was also Sunday School Superintendent. While living in Charleston, she attended Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church where she sang in the Youth Choir, Garnet Glee Club, Simpson Senior and Mass Choirs.
Kitty loved children and raised several relatives and other children. She has one foster granddaughter, Rev. Dr. Sharletta Green, and others she called “her children” including Christopher Harris. Ms. Kitty loved to read the Psalms, make quilts, bake cakes and was well known and loved for her Cinnamon Applesauce which she gave as gifts.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Charles “Sack” Crump; her parents, Mary and Joseph Chambers; brothers, Buddy, Cyrus, and Harry Chambers; sisters Beulah “Baboo” Chambers Lowe (Ralph) and Lillye Chambers Roane (Norman); nieces Patricia “Pat” Chambers Hopkins and Victoria “Vickie” Roane; and one great-nephew Robert “Bobby” Hopkins.
She is survived by her foster granddaughter, Rev. Dr. Sharletta Green, sister-in-law, Edith Boggs, Roanoke, VA; brother-in-law, Jarnelle “Jerry” Crump (Liz) San Francisco, CA; niece, Linda Callahan (Larry) Charlotte, NC; nephew, Vincent Roane (Margaret) Mechanicsville, VA; great-nephews George Ashton (Monique) Rockville, MD; Dr. Randolph Ashton (Dr. Lydia) Madison, WI; Joseph Roane (Shannon) Atlanta, GA; Alexander and Austin Callahan, Charlotte, NC; great-niece, Christina Brookman; Alderson, WV; great-great-nephews Andrew Ashton, Conrad Ashton, Dimitris Brookman, Parkersburg, WV, Aydrien Jackson, Alderson, WV, and Jalen Roane; great-great nieces Sydney Ashton, Jordan Ashton, Dorian Ashton, Jada Roane and great- great-great niece Delilah Brookman; many beloved cousins and friends.
The family wishes to thank the Hospice Care team for their care, support and love during Mary’s illness and the passing of Charles. Special thanks to nurse Leslie who was there in the final moments of their lives. Also, thank you to the Center Well nursing staff, the caregivers from Visiting Angels, and especially Brianna, Jessika (Butterfly) and Jazmen who were there at critical moments. Each of you played and important role in Mary, Charles, and Sharletta’s lives. Blessings and Peace to each of you as you continue the work of caring for others.
Homegoing service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 31, at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 208 E. Foster Street, Lewisburg, WV 24901. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, Saturday at the church. Burial will follow the service in the Lewisburg-Bolling Cemetery, Court Street N., Lewisburg, WV. In lieu of flowers you may donate in memory of Mary Crump to Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston, WV 25387 or to the John Wesley United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1133 E. Washington Street, Lewisburg, WV 24901. Online guestbook can be signed at www.morganfh.net. Arrangements entrusted to Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, WV.
