Alberta Cromwell

Alberta N. Cromwell fondly called “Jessie or Bertha” was born April 8, 1924 in Russellville, South Carolina to Sarah Murray and Fred Middleton. She was the seventh child of eleven. Her early childhood education was in Russellville, South Carolina. She always said her love of reading came from her father. During WWII, Alberta worked at an ammunition plant in Charleston, South Carolina where she met her future husband, Benjamin Cromwell, through a pen-pal relationship. Later, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland. She worked at an ammunition plant in Aberdeen, Maryland. She married Benjamin in Baltimore on March 20, 1946, while on a ten day leave from the Navy. Alberta and Benjamin moved back to Charleston, South Carolina and six children were born, 2 (Benjamin and Darrell) preceded her in death. In 1956, they moved back to Baltimore for better job opportunities. Alberta worked for the Baltimore County School System for more than 20 years and retired in 1988. They joined Greater St. John’s Baptist Church where she was a member of the Senior Choir and the Missionary Board. She was a superb mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She showed unconditional love to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an outstanding cook. Many, many people enjoyed meals at her home. The neighborhood children would look forward to Sunday afternoons to get a piece of her delicious cake. She especially enjoyed her family gatherings. She enjoyed reading and listening to music. She was a TRUE MATRIARCH and kept her family bonded together. She possessed a humble spirit and quiet dignity. She was a God fearing woman who loved God to the end and when she was no longer able to attend church, she continued to tithe as well as stayed in contact via telephone and cards. There are not enough words that can describe how beautiful, caring, loving and loyal person she was. She will be greatly missed. She leaves to mourn: her husband, Benjamin Cromwell; her children, Harold Cromwell (Angela), Yusef Shahid (Gloria), William Cromwell (Debbie) and Velma Perry-Smith (Michael); daughter-in-law, Vivian Cromwell; 2 sisters, Cornelia Bennett and Vernell (Hattie) Barnes; 2 sisters-in-law, Evelyn Majors and Elle Mae McLloyd; 26 grandchildren, 48 great grandechildren, 3 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Alberta Cromwell

April 8, 1924 - December 22, 2012