Marguerite Carthella “Cotty” Crump, 91 of Portsmouth Virginia, passed away peacefully
on January 23, 2025, at her home, where she was surrounded by loving family.
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, to William and Alice Churchill, she lived most of her life in
Portsmouth Va. and relocated to Atlanta Ga. in 2009.  A lover of life, Carthella had
many passions. She enjoyed family and friends, her Bid Whist Club, cooking, swimming
and music. At a young age she sang in her church choir and helped in her parent’s
family restaurant. She was a graduate of I. C. Norcom High School, where she also
sung in the school chorus.  
After graduating from high school, she attended Hampton University, which was known
as Hampton Institute at that time. During summers she served as a lifeguard at Camp
Atwater in Massachusetts. She then began her professional trade as an administrative
assistant at Riddick Weaver Elementary School. She continued to advance her skills
and responsibilities, becoming Assistant Director of William T. Hall Convalescence
Home. Afterwards, Carthella spent thirty years of service supporting four different
ministers at her home church, Emanuel AME, as the church administrator. At church
she was always willing to help no matter what the problem was, and if you needed an
answer to any question regarding church administration, she had the answer for you
whether she was at the church, or at home.
Carthella and Arrington met at thirteen years old and became inseparable at sixteen.
They enjoyed 65 years of marriage. As a wife and mother, she was an anchor in her
neighborhood. She was known as a dear friend to other moms and a mother to all the
neighborhood youth. She hosted neighborhood activities and often drove children to
sports events, which brought her immense joy. Many family members, friends and kids
would frequent her dinner table or even call to request that she make one of her special
dishes or cakes for their family. Later in life she returned to her love of swimming and
served as a lifeguard at the Portsmouth YMCA. Family was the love of her life.
She is survived by her son Daryll L. Crump, (Sadell) and her daughter Lynn Crump-
Caine (John), and many loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.
She was predeceased by two daughters, Alice Crump and Terri Crump, and her loving
husband Arrington W. Crump.