Mother Laura Mae ("Ma' Dear") Crum

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 6:56 p.m., Her Lord said unto Laura, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: Laura enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” - Matthew 25:21

Laura Mae was born to the union of Mary Jane Jackson and James Jackson on June 30, 1931, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by parents, Mary Jane Jackson and James Jackson; both husbands; two daughters, Janie Mae Holpe and Bobbie Jean Freeman; two sons, Willie Morgan, Jr., and William Dean Morgan; one sister, Ida B. Mull; two brothers, Roosevelt Warren and James Henry Warren; two grandsons and two great-grandchildren.

Laura accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and later joined True Light Missionary Baptist Church in the early 1970s. From there, she continued her spiritual journey, joining Lively Stone Church of God (Apostolic Faith). She was water baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the spirit of God gave utterance. She became a prayer warrior, intercessor, and Mother of the Church. She served faithfully at several local churches in St. Louis, and her last church home was House of Prayer for all People, where she served faithfully until her health no longer permitted her to attend church in person. 

Laura worked many years as a government employee for the City of St. Louis until a work injury caused her to retire early. After retirement, she found a new love, caring for children in her home. She became known as the family babysitter but not only for her family; she cared for many friends and the friends of friends children. Her granddaughters fondly and that was that. Her next love was providing a home for what many would call “forgotten people.” Her grandchildren would often visit and ask MàDear, “Who is that stranger in your house?” She would always respond the same, “The Lord told me to take them in, and so I did,” and that was that.

Laura was affectionately known by her family as “MàDear.” She would break out the blessed oil and pray for anyone willing to accept prayer. MàDear was a true example of a “Praying Grandmother.” She was known to stop, pray, and witness to strangers and anyone willing to listen. MàDear prayed countless hours a day over her family and many were led to Christ because of her witness.  

Laura leaves a beautiful Christian legacy to be remembered by: her sister, Trudy Bibbs Ross of St. Louis, MO; four children, Clara Edwards, and Hattie Jurnick, both of St. Louis, MO, Jerome (Catherine) Crum of Olive Branch, MS, and James Crum of St. Louis, MO; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

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