ARTHUR E. CROSBY
COLUMBIA -- Retired Master Sgt. Arthur Etal Crosby, of 529 Bitternut Road, beloved ex-husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, departed this earthly life on Monday morning, Oct. 25, 2004, at the Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia.
Arthur, the eldest son of the late Lee Crosby and Peggie Nelson Crosby, was born July 31, 1932, in Rimini. He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church of Columbia, where he was active in Bible study and was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Army and began a distinguished career in which he would see action in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, earning no less than 15 medals and citations as well as an eventual ascension to the rank of master sergeant. Shortly after joining the Army, he married Sallie Luedna Wells of Pinewood. From this union, seven children were born.
After serving his tour of duty in the Army, he went from defending his country to nurturing it, working for such charitable organizations like Habitat for Humanity, where he refurbished furniture and appliances for needy families. He also served food to the homeless in various shelters and soup kitchens.
He leaves to mourn, his beloved ex-wife and friend, Sallie Crosby; two daughters, Debra Green of Highland Park, N.J., and Beverley Crosby of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two sons, Terry and Kai Crosby of Brooklyn, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Two children preceded Mr. Crosby in death, Cassandra Crosby and Cynthia Crosby, and two brothers.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Antioch RMUE Church in Rimini with the Rev. William Polite, pastor, assisting by the Revs. Warren Hatcher, Amos Hatcher, Michael Ross and Arnold Williams. Burial will follow in Spring Grove Cemetery.
Viewing will be held from noon until 9 p.m. Friday with a wake service from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
The procession will leave from the home of his niece, Patsy Crosby-Pugh, 1062 Billups Road, Rimini, at 1:15 p.m.
The family is also receiving visitors at the home of Patsy Crosby-Pugh.
Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.