Crystal S. McGee

Crystal S. McGee was born on March 26, 1951 in the home of her parents Hazel and Thomas Barfield on June Street in Kissimmee, Florida. At an early age Crystal manifested a feistiness which would become a characteristic we would all come to know throughout her life. Crystal attended Kissimmee High School. Her childhood years were spent under the watchful eye of her mother, who always made sure all of the school children of Kissimmee were properly fed. After graduating from high school, Crystal’s career path led her to Kissimmee High cafeteria where she mastered the are of bread baking and later to Central Elementary School where she worked along side a special group of women who would become life long friends. Crystal was a faithful and supportive member of St. James A.M.E. Zion Church since she was a little girl. She served in the following capacities: Church Secretary, Church Announcer, Stewardess, choir member, Food Committee member and she worked with the Sunday School. Crystal met the love of her life, Mr. Willie Cecil McGee at St. James. There were married on October 17, 1981, by Reverend C.R. Curry, former Pastor of St. James A.M.E. Zion Church. During their 24 years of marriage, Willie became an ordained minister and Pastor of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Putnam Hall, Florida and Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Church in Tampa, Florida with Crystal standing proudly by his side as First Lady. Crystal will be greatly missed by her church families and the A.M.E. South Florida Conference which she worked so hard in and made many enduring relationships, especially those with Hood Temple, Mt. Sinai, Love of Christ A.M.E. Zion, and Greater Faith A.M.E. Zion in Orlando, Florida. On August 1, 2020, after several months of sickness, Crystal was called home to the mansion prepared for her by the Heavenly Father. Crystal’s homecoming was preceded by her parents: Hazel and Thomas Barfield; her cousins: Caroline and Dan; and her very special friend, Rose Curry, whom she loved like a sister. Crystal was loved and her memory will be cherished by her sister, Vivian Bazemore (Michael); nephew, Mark Barfield; aunt, Minnie Duncan; cousins: Joyce Taylor, Doris Nicholas (Stafford), Faye McLean, Darthene Taylor, Jeanette Gibbs (Pernell), Annette Duncan, Kenneth Duncan (Taya), Anthony Duncan (Stacey), Gerald Duncan; and a host of other family members, her church family (St. James A.M.E. Zion), Chat-N-Chew group, and her dear friend, Annette Burke.

Tributes

Crystal S. McGee

March 26, 1951 - August 1, 2020