Elnora Marie Montgomery

Elnora Montgomery entered, lived, and exited life with bittersweet experiences.

Entered Life

On August 1, 1942, Elnora Marie Crawford was born to the late Roberta and Willie Crawford, Sr. in historic Northampton County, Virginia. A few days after family began to celebrate her precious first breaths of life, they also began to grieve the final breaths of her mother. She died of childbirth complications, also leaving a one-year old son and a three-year old daughter.

Childhood

Elnora, along with her brother Willie and sister Ruth were siblings who understood the meaning of being “a motherless child”. They also understood the meaning of “a family village rearing a child”. Maternal family members who nurtured their upbringing included: great grandmother Lucy Ellen Trower Goffigan, grandmother Louise Smith, and aunt Rebecca Smith along with husband Cleveland Smith, Sr.

Gifting

Regardless of where Elnora resided in life -- Norfolk, Virginia or New York City, New York -- she used her gift of communication through dynamic conversation and storytelling. She encouraged and inspired others to overcome hardships and roadblocks in life. Often, she would share that some things in life are out of our control, like the weather or someone not returning love. Instead of fretting about such conditions, enrich your life with a merry heart. Sometimes, she bellowed a good hearty laugh about having to take a good dose of her own “merry medicine”, unavailable at any earthly pharmacy.

Passions

Elnora had a passion for politics. Family members referred to her as their political analyst or political commentator. Her interest in politics reached all levels-local, state, national and international. Any question asked of her regarding politics, she was able to supply with a generous response. Watching television news broadcasts served as a daily treat for her.

Another passion of Elnora was that of cooking. Given a few meager ingredients, she was able to create a masterful meal. She had a gift for taking a few scraps rendered to her in life to create a bountiful pot to enjoy. She had been doing this since childhood. She would often imply that one could always create much in life using a little of nothing, along with a huge desire and purposeful plan.

Exited Life

Elnora Marie Crawford Montgomery exited this earthly life well before sunset Christmas 2016. Now all her family and endearing friends will have a wonderful day to think of her, again and again. What a precious day for her to become a heavenly angel to so many.

Celebrating Elnora’s Life

Celebrating Elnora’s life is her devoted husband Joe Montgomery; daughter, Rosalyn Harris; granddaughter, Cerissa Harrell Payne; and grandsons, Demetrius Harrell, Rumone and Ruben Harris; six great grandchildren; sister, Jeannette Robinson; sister-in-law, Helen Crawford; brother-in-law, Brodus Miller, Jr.; nieces, Brenolder Miller Johnson, Bereatha Miller Dawkins, Stephanie Crawford Hicks and Belaveate Miller Holden; nephews, Willie Crawford, III and Braxton Miller, Sr., and a host of other relatives and friends.

Heavenly Angels

Elnora was preceded in death by her sister, Bertie “Ruth” Miller; brother, Willie Crawford, Jr.; daughter, Catherine Files; grandson, Samuel Harrell, III; and nephew, Wayne Crawford.

The family will be receiving friends on Friday, December 30th from 11 am to 12 pm with a celebration of her life immediately following at Loucks Funeral Home, 79 N. Main St., Ellenville.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Arc of Ulster-Greene, 471 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401.