Celebrating the life of
Barbara Amelie (Couch) Crampton
February 07, 2015 - September 13, 2015
Rev. Deacon Barbara Amelia Couch Crampton was born in Monticello, New York February 7, 1925 to Winifred Charlotte (Wakeman) Couch and Chester Wright Couch of South Fallsburg, NY. She married Gordon Kelsey Crampton May 15, 1948 at Christ Church, Schenectady, New York. She was raised and educated in Scotia, Schenectady County, NY. A herniated disk cut short her training as a registered nurse, and she subsequently went to work as a secretary at American Locomotive Company (ALCO) and General Electric Corporation in Schenectady, and later a homemaker. After raising two children, she graduated from the College of St. Rose, Albany, New York, and became secretary and administrative assistant to the Chief of Medical Services and nursing staff at the New York State Oswald D. Heck Development Center.
In 1980, she was accepted into the Deacon Training Program of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Albany in 1983, where she served her home parish of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Scotia, New York. There she worked ecumenically with other clergy and church workers providing religious training for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. She was also active in the church choir and community choral groups, and a part-time organist. Active in the Automobilists of the upper Hudson Valley in the from the 1960s - 1980s, she co-edited with her husband the club’s quarterly magazine, the Automobilist, which at the time was nationally and internationally known amongst antique auto collectors.
In 1984, following her husband’s retirement, the Bishop of Maine accepted her transfer from the Diocese of Albany. In the Thomaston and Rockland, Maine area she served the parish of St. John the Baptist Episcopal church, where she coordinated meetings with other deacons in the diocese, established a deaconate newsletter, and served as a religious volunteer and councilor at the Maine State Prison in Thomaston. She helped establish a food pantry for the needy and was a founding member of the Mid-Coast Hospitality House, which serves families visiting prison inmates, and provided emergency shelter to the needy. In 1998, she was licensed to serve the Diocese of Georgia, and served actively at St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Savannah for a over a decade. She, her husband, and daughter moved to Savannah, Georgia permanently in 2000.
Barbara was a member of the North American Association for the Deaconate, the St. Andrew’s Society of Maine, the Daughters of Scotia Lady MacRae Lodge # 212, and the Coastal Scottish Heritage Society of Savannah, Georgia, or the Coastal Workshop, 31 Limerock Street, Camden, Maine 04843.
Barbara is predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Gordon Kelsey Crampton, and her daughter, Kelsey Anne Crampton. She is survived by her son David Bruce Crampton, and daughter-in-law Heather Jean (Brauns) Crampton three grandchildren, Calum David Crampton, Meaghan Lindsay (Crampton) Gonzalez, Iain Douglas Crampton, and one great-grandchild, Liam Allan Gonzalez.
Funeral services will be held at St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Sept. 16th at 2:00P.M. Visitation with family will be at Patton Hall, St Michael’s Tuesday, Sept. 15th from 5-7PM. Interment will be in the family plot in Walton, New York at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice, Savannah, or the Coastal (Ga.) Center for Developmental Services.
So very sorry to hear of Barbaras passing. She will be very much missed. With Love Karen & GW
- GW & Karen Peden, Hinesville, GA
I would like to express my condolences for the loss of your dear love one. No doubt she will be missed by many. May you find comfort in the loving promise found at John 5:28 & 29 which in part says: ".......for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out...." What a joy that will be to see our dead love ones again.
- Mrs. Khan, Snellville, GA
I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the Crampton family during this most difficult time. Our Heavenly Father sees not only your pain but how it affects you physically, mentally and emotionally. That is why He promises : " And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. " 1Corinthians 15:26. Until then may you continue to draw strength and comfort from Jehovah, family and friends.
- M. Verdell, Palm Coast , FL
We cannot imagine the depth of your loss and all of its dimensions. Very sorry. She was a wonderful story teller.
- James White, Savannah, GA
So very sorry to hear of Barbaras passing. She will be very much missed. With Love Karen & GW
- GW & Karen Peden, Hinesville, GA
I would like to express my condolences for the loss of your dear love one. No doubt she will be missed by many. May you find comfort in the loving promise found at John 5:28 & 29 which in part says: ".......for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out...." What a joy that will be to see our dead love ones again.
- Mrs. Khan, Snellville, GA
I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the Crampton family during this most difficult time. Our Heavenly Father sees not only your pain but how it affects you physically, mentally and emotionally. That is why He promises : " And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. " 1Corinthians 15:26. Until then may you continue to draw strength and comfort from Jehovah, family and friends.
- M. Verdell, Palm Coast , FL
We cannot imagine the depth of your loss and all of its dimensions. Very sorry. She was a wonderful story teller.
- James White, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
