GERALDINE CROSLAND
Geraldine Benton-Frierson Crosland, 72, quietly slipped away on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Newark, Delaware.
Geraldine was born on Nov. 16, 1946, in Sumter, to her loving parents, Willie and Louella Frierson Benton. She was the first child of the nine children that were born to that union. Geraldine later met and married Kenneth Crosland. Geraldine attended the public schools of Sumter, Savage and Glover and graduated from Lincoln High School Class of 1965. She also attended Morris College. Geraldine later moved to New York, where she attended Manpower Developmental Training School. Upon graduating from Manpower, she was offered a job at New York University. Working herself through the ranks, she retired after more than 40 years of service as purchasing director. After the death of her husband, Kenneth, she went to work for her brother at Bailey's Funeral Home in Harlem, New York, where she remained until her death.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her mother, Louella Benton of Sumter; four brothers, Willie Benton Jr. of Harlem, Robert Lee (Estelle) of Newark, Bobby (Mary) of Bronx, New York, and James (Lois) of Brooklyn, New York; two sisters, Jessie (Carl) of New Castle, Delaware, and Louella Denise (Manuel) of Perth Amboy, New Jersey; a stepson, Kenneth aka Kimmey Crosland; her nieces and nephews and their children; three godchildren; a special aunt, Loretta Presley of Brooklyn; three special cousins, Carl Williams of Brooklyn, Dr. Sonja Murphy of Sumter and Rosa McElveen of Atlanta; a host of other relatives and friends.
The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of her mother, 10 Hynes St., Sumter.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 421 S. Main St., Sumter, with Pastor Marvis Stewart officiating.
The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.
The funeral procession will leave at 10:20 a.m. from the home.
Burial will be at Mayesville Cemetery, Mayesville.
Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.
Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.
Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.