Ray E. Crumpton went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at his home in Cumby, Texas, with his wife of 60 years at his side. He was born October 10, 1936 south of Cumby. His parents were Ofie and Vera Bennett Crumpton. He married Ann Lindsey on June 24, 1956 at the Washington Street Baptist Church, Greenville, Texas. He was a Southern Baptist Minister for fifty-three years.
He graduated from Cumby High School in 1954. He moved to Dallas and worked for Wilson Sporting Goods for two years and the United States Postal Service for seven years. On August 24, 1962 during a two-week tent revival at White Rock Baptist Church, he surrendered to God's call to preach the Gospel. He attended East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas for three years and pastored Hall Baptist Church. He then served as pastor of Prairie Valley Baptist Church, Campbell and Union Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs. He graduated from East Texas State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1973 he received a degree in Religious Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. While in the seminary he pastored churches in Louisiana and Mississippi.
He moved to Beavercreek, Ohio (near Dayton) to serve as pastor of University Baptist Mission. He lead them to become a constituted church during his time there. God lead him to pastorates in Ashland, Kentucky and Houston, Texas before leading him back to the Greenville area in 1983. He returned to ETSU to earn his Teachers Certification. He taught Earth Science at Quinlan Middle School for 17 years.
During these years he served as pastor at East Delta Baptist Church, Cooper; Peniel Baptist Church; First Baptist Church, Campbell; England Grove Baptist Church, Commerce; Chapel Hill Baptist Church and County Line Baptist Church, Rains County. He served area churches as interim pastor and while serving at Point First Baptist Church, was given the title of Pastor Emeritus by that congregation.
He loved studying the Bible, especially the book of Revelation. He taught this book in a verse-by-verse study in many churches he pastored and he also conducted special week-long studies in other churches. While in Houston, he was one of the first pastors to be certified to teach the Master Life Program.
He and Ann enjoyed traveling in their RV with their beloved Boston Terrier, Dutchess. They spent much time in the Gunnison and Created Butt, Colorado area, camping, fishing, site seeing, rock hunting and just enjoying the beautiful mountains. Sundays were special because they attending church in Tincup, Colorado, an old mining town. In 2003 they enjoyed a 3 month trip to Alaska.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Kay Stinson, Aurora, Colorado; Debbie Blakley and husband Robert, Livingston, Texas, son-in-law Cecil Rowland, Georgetown, Indiana. Six grandchildren, Jamie Bodenbender and husband Chad, Salem, Indiana, Michael Rowland and wife Nicole, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Dustin Beaver and wife Katie, Ft. Worth, Samuel Blakley and wife Lizzie, Carrollton, Nathaniel Blakley, Nachodoches and Danielle Blakley and fiancee Ed Brown, Huntsville. Five great-grandchildren, David Hoggarth, Noah Bodenbender, Serenity AllieAnn Bodenbender, Charlie Rowland and Samuel Rowland. Sister-in-laws, Georgia White, Houston and Freeda Crumpton Brewer, Greenville, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Cindy Rowland, brothers, Murray A. and J. T. Crumpton, sisters, Marie Bibby and Myrtle Ruth Keller. Also, sister and brother in-laws, Martha and Billy Pope, Maurine and Cecil Clark, Charles White and Gene Brewer. Mother-in-law Eula Lindsey Parish.
Visitation will be at 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home and funeral services will be at 2p.m. Wednesday at County Line Baptist Church, Hwy. 275 S of Miller Grove with Rev. Benny Chaffin and Rev. Wayne Darty. Burial will follow at Sunny Point Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Rick Berry, Dale Crumpton, Joey Crumpton, Mark Crumpton, Daniel Knight, Lee Knight and Darren Money. Honorary Pallbearers will include David Beasley, Woody Garmon, Doyle Glossup, Johnny Sampson, Marion Spurlock, Lewis Watts and Chuck Wesson.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gideons International Bible Fund and the Christmas Child Shoebox Fund at County Line Baptist Church.