Maria E. Crosby 1942-2020

Mrs. Crosby was born Sept. 5, 1942, in Youngstown, a daughter of Essie Brown (aka Robert Johnson) and Sara Williams Brown. She was a 1960 graduate of The Rayen School.

Maria married Carl Crosby, the love of her life, Oct. 28, 1961, and to this union four children were born. Maria had worked at Kings Department Store and Tamco Distribution Warehouse as a line selector for 14 years, retiring in 2002. Maria was a member of Rising Star Baptist Church, where she served on the adult usher board, card ministry, prayer ministry and counseling. Maria was a true prayer warrior. She enjoyed shopping, traveling, painting and, most of all, spending time with her family.

She leaves to cherish her life and legacy, her children, Dane (Geneva) Crosby, Sandra Gail Stewart and Robyn S. Crosby, all of Youngstown, and Wanda (Rick) Hannah of Columbus; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, William “Bill” (Voncile) Brown of Columbus and Kenneth Johnson of Youngstown; four sisters, Burma Burwell and Elizabeth “Liz” Johnson, both of Youngstown, Sara “Libby” Hogue of Toledo and Amanda (Jihad) Grihm of Stone Mountain, Ga.; a nephew, James “Bo” Crosby; and four nieces, Donna Wells, Mittie Overton, the late Tina Johnson and Linda Noday, for whom she became a second mother after the death of her sister, Marcia; as well as numerous family and friends.

Besides her parents, and husband, Carl, who passed away April 28,2007, she was preceded in death by siblings, Raymond “Poochie” Brown, Marcia Crosby, Oscar Brown, Terrance “Toot” Brown and Bobby West; and grandsons, Elliott L. Stewart and Xavier T. Hannah.

Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2020, at Rising Star Baptist Church, Youngstown. Private services will be held for immediate family only.

Arrangements entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

(special notice)