Mattie Ruth Crayton Preston's Obituary
Mattie Ruth Crayton Preston departed this life Friday, October 20, 2017, after an acute stroke. She was born September 8, 1929 in Calhoun County, Georgia to James and Ethel Crayton where she assisted on the family farm. Mattie graduated from Calhoun County High School. The family moved to Albany, Georgia shortly afterwards. After moving to Albany, Mattie moved to Syracuse, New York over 60 years ago to pursue a better life. She began her working career as a domestic worker, until she was hired by General Electric Company, where she retired after 28 years. Mattie met the love of her life Donald Preston at General Electric Company and they were soon wed. While employed at GE, she was also a Union Stewart. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, as well as traveling both domestic and internationally. Mattie enjoyed dancing, gardening (with her BFF Lucille Latham), knitting/crocheting, bowling, baking and camping. She was a member of NAARVA (National African American RV’ers Association) and the Raven RV Club, where she was an avid RV camper. Mattie was a member of a couple of bowling leagues, a Mary Kay Consultant and a member of Eastern Stars. Mattie was a dedicated member of Hopps Memorial Church for 50 plus years, where she served on the Usher and Stewardess Boards. Mattie was the matriarch of her extended family, while residing in Syracuse. Her two sisters and two cousins soon joined her. Under her leadership, all lived together in harmony, as she encouraged them to pursue school or careers, until they were married and/or moved to another city. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Ethel Crayton, sister Lettie Butler and brothers James Crayton, Charles Crayton, Roger Crayton. Mattie leaves behind her beloved husband of 52 years, Donald Preston, three (3) children, Marcus Butler (Monica) of Syracuse, NY, Deborah Jackson (Larry) of Dallas, TX and Donald Preston II (Robin) of Burtonsville, MD, a sister Minnie Jenkins (Robert), eight (8) grandchildren Gia Maria Jackson, Traci Nicole Smith (Roy), Kheli Jackson, Lawrence Jonathan Jackson, Marcus Butler II, Angelica Renee Butler, Taylor Preston and Daniel Preston, five (5) great grandchildren, Tamaria Jackson, TeQuille Jackson, Jaxyn Nalani Smith, Kai Butler and Mason Butler, five(5) nieces and five(5) nephews Robert Jenkins II, Karen Butler, Joshua Dyer, Terri Lyn Jenkins, Linda Crayton, Monique Crayton, James Crayton II, Charles Crayton Jr., Cornelia Crayton Brown, Christopher Crayton and a host of other family members and friends.
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