Fay Elizabeth Crosby

Fay Elizabeth Crosby was born Jun 3, 1922 in Marshville, North Carolina to parents Fred and Elizabeth (Miller) Horton in a home built by her father’s own hand. Amazingly, this house still stands today, but is in great need of repair.

Their home was on a farm ten miles from town and where her father worked as a Principle Accountant and a full-time farmer. Her mother was a full-time Mom; running her household with a firm yet, loving hand and was known for being a fabulous cook. Fay shared memories of her time on their family farm picking cotton, canning fruits and vegetables, raising livestock and making their own clothing.

Fay was a depression era baby and part of the Greatest Generation; this had a great impact on her life and helped shaped her character. She was quiet and reserved, yet had a marvelous sense of humor.

She was one of five children; three boys and two girls. They all lived into their 90’s which can be attributed to great genes. Fay went to college at 16 years of age, graduating at 19 with a degree in Primary Education.

As World War II began, she taught school in rural North Carolina. Eventually moving to Charlotte to join an Army typing pool.
After the war ended, she met her future husband Harry Crosby, Sr. on a blind date at a wrestling match. They fell in love and got married. Two years later a baby boy was born, Harry Crosby, Jr.

Harry, Sr. was a construction worker and they moved around the country in a mobile home to follow available jobs for work. During these years Fay continued to teach. Settling down to raise their family they moved to Charleston, South Carolina.

She earned her Master’s degree and was chosen to educate the first African-American child enrolled in an all-white school during the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. She bravely volunteered for the position and was quite proud to be a part of such a time changing period of history.
Fay retired at 54 years of age in South Carolina and moved to Texas in the 90’s to be closer to her son and his family. She was loved, admired and respected by coworkers, family and many friends.

She left this world to meet her Lord and Master, Jesus Christ on June 25, 2019. She will be missed dearly.

Fay is survived by her loving son Harry Crosby; granddaughters, Amanda Hay and her husband, Aaron; Kelli Crosby and her wife, Jodi; Megan Conner and her husband, Chris; great-grandchildren, Emily Hay, Natalie and Nora Conner, Carli and Taylor McGahey and many loving cousins and friends.

There will be a visitation at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 29, 2019 followed by a celebration of Fay's life at 12:00 noon at Allen Family Funeral Options, officiated by The Reverend Steven Saul.

Fay will be laid to rest in Marshville, North Carolina with her parents following a service at Marshville Presbyterian Church that was built by her grandfather in 1898.