Mary Ellen Crumpton, age 93, of Hampton, Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2024, after a long and courageous 8-year battle with Alzheimer's. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing her over her amazing life was markedly better for it. The family was blessed to have had such an amazing soul enrich our lives for so long.

A lifelong resident of Hampton and a country girl at heart, Mary Ellen was born on April 26, 1931. She was the eldest daughter of the late Ellen and Leon James and grew up on a thriving family farm (now the Riverdale neighborhood) with her four late siblings—Leon James, Jr. of Hampton, Elizabeth Thompson, Emily Evans, and Mallory James—all of whom were prominent, active members of the Hampton community during their lifetimes.

Mary Ellen graduated from Hampton High School in 1948, where she met the love of her life, Jesse Ramon Crumpton, who preceded her in death in 2008. Many know Jesse as a gambling man but Mary was equally a gambler; beginning with rolling the dice and eloping with Jesse. Together, they lived a full and adventurous life that could easily have outpaced novel and film. Jesse inspired her to take risks and enjoy life's unexpected turns.

Mary Ellen dedicated her early years to being a homemaker before becoming a founding partner of Two Girls Corporation, a Hampton-based construction company. She juggled these roles with grace, all while raising their three daughters: Penny Robinson of Hampton, Mona Mazonkey of Hampton, and Belinda Gilels of Palm City, Florida.

Mary Ellen was a lover of nature, the outdoors, and the Chesapeake Bay. She found joy in her birds and took immense pride in her garden, especially her vibrant roses that brightened moods and uplifted spirits for all who visited. She and Jesse shared many adventurous years together, including frequent trips to Las Vegas, where they enjoyed their shared love of the thrill. While Jesse was the gambler and dreamer, Mary Ellen was the practical one who let Jesse lead his "short-cut" projects such as gutting the canal, repairing aged boats or endless junkyard equipment—except when it came to involving the grandchildren, she put her foot firmly down!

In her later years, Mary Ellen enjoyed being a member of The Red Hat Society, a women's social group in Hampton, and spending time at her cherished vacation home, lovingly known as the "Crumpton Cabana" in Palm City, Florida.

In addition to her daughters, she is survived by her five grandchildren, Jennifer Robinson Pellegrini of Bethesda, MD, Nick Robinson of Chesterfield, VA, Michael Mazonkey of Jacksonville, FL, Morgan Sobel of Denver, CO, and Jack Sobel of Orlando, FL. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Grant, Cole, and Wren Robinson of Chesterfield, VA, and Ellie Pellegrini of Bethesda, MD.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her devoted aide, Esther Darko, whose exceptional care, tenderness, and love brightened Mary Ellen's final years.

A funeral service to celebrate Mary Ellen's life will be held on Wednesday, October 9, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Ellen's name to the Alzheimer's Association, to aid in the search for a cure for this devastating disease.

Mary Ellen will be most remembered for her unwavering strength, her deep love for her family, and her ability to bring beauty and joy into the lives of those around her.