Mary Whilden Cromartie obit., Black Mountain, NC, died 11 March 2007
Source:22 March 2007 Daily Southerner newspaper, Tarboro, NC
MARY W. CROMARTIE
Mary Whilden Cromartie, 46, of Black Mountain, died Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
Cromartie was born Mary 27, 1960 in Dunn to Anne Turner Cromartie and the late Rev. Dr. Rufus A. Cromartie. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, John Elwin Turner and Sadie Parnell Turner of Mayesville, S.C., and by her paternal grandparents, Martin Luther Cromartie Sr. and Rachael Armfield Cromartie of Tarboro.
Since age 12, Cromartie bravely battled a brain tumor and all the many resulting treatments. Through all her adversities, she maintained a sweet and beautiful outlook. Her deep faith was an inspiration to all who knew her.
As the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Cromartie lived in Dunn, Fayetteville and Point Pleasant, W. Va., where, in 1978, she graduated from Point Pleasant High School. While in high school, she earned one of the highest Girl Scout honors, God and Country. She loved doing the community work involved in attaining that goal. After graduation, Cromartie was selected to participate in the Presbyterian Church, USA “Tithe of Life Program,” a program offering young people an opportunity to serve the church for a year.
In 1980 after the death of her father, the family moved to Montreat.
Cromartie attended Montreat-Anderson College and the American Business and Fashion Institute in Charlotte. She received an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from McDowell Tech. She had worked in the Mountain Retreat Association in Montreat and the childcare program of the Biltmore Baptist Church.
When she was no longer able to work, Cromartie enjoyed volunteering at the Black Mountain Senior Center, The Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries and Meals on Wheels.
She was a member of the WNC Brain Tumor Survivors, where she enjoyed being with friends who had been through experiences similar to her own. She was a member of the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church and had been a member of the choir. She also enjoyed the singles group of the Biltmore Baptist Church.
In addition to her mother, Cromartie is survived by a sister, Rachael C. Lee and her husband, Anthony Lee, and nieces, Bethany Lee and Amelia Lee, all of Black Mountain. She loved cats and is survived by her dearly beloved Sampson and Rocky.
She is also survived by loving aunts and uncles: Sara T. Stokes of Clemson, S.C.; Herman Turner of Timmonsville, S.C.; Felix Ambrose of Kingston, N.Y., and Martin Luther Cromartie Jr. of Tarboro and Washington, D.C.
Mary is survived by eight special cousins who spent time together at the home farm in Mayesville, S.C. They are Sally Jenkins of Clemson, S.C., Jim Stokes of Seneca, S.C., Lisa Stevens of Bluffton, Utah, Gee Atkinson of Bishopville, S.C., Lil Turner of Connecticut, Jet Turner of Clover, S.C., John Ambrose of Franklin Lakes, N.J., and Peter Ambrose of New Hampshire.
The funeral service was held 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Bob Ratchford and the Rev. Dr. Kevin Frederick officiating. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery.
Contributions in Mary Cromartie’s memory may be made to the WNC Brain Tumor Support, 46 Samayoa Place Asheville NC 28806 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
Funeral arrangements are by Morris Funeral Home, Asheville.