Sister Mattie O. Drake Crimes was born October 16, 1950 to the late Willie Walter Scruggs and Odell Drake. She departed this life September 26, 2007.
Mattie accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was united with the Hurricane Chapel M. B. Church under the leadership of Elder Michael Rice. Mattie attended church as often as she could when her health permitted.
Mattie was joined in holy matrimony to Mr. Benford Townsend and to this union two sons were born. God through his infinite wisdom and understanding, later joined Mattie and Ashford Crimes in holy matrimony.
Mattie retired from Alabama A & M University in 1998 after many years of devoted service.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories her husband, Ashford Crimes; her loving and devoted sons Anthony Quinn (Peaches) Townsend and Omar (Dawn) Townsend; her mother, Odell Sheckles, mother-in-law, Mary Francis Crimes, stepchildren Tracy and Travis Crimes; three brothers, Lester Hampton, Howard (Shelley) Hampton, Marcus (Vickie) Hampton, four sisters, Shelia Hampton, Anna Hampton, Stephanie Hampton and Phyllis Harris; two brothers-in-law Richard (Ethelene) Crimes and Russell Crimes, ten grandchildren, one great grandchild; aunts, uncles, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Crimes will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2007 from the Hurricane Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Michael Rice officiating. Interment will be in Valley View Memorial Gardens. The remains of Mrs. Crimes will be in the church one hour prior to funeral time.