By Miss Laura Hinton
“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is often interred with their bones.” It was on the 26th of May that Mr. J.W. Crockett, one of the great laymen of the A.M.E. Zion church fell at his post of duty succumbing to the will of God. When the Lord sent His death angel for him, he was away from home in the town of King’s Mountain on business for the King. He was addressing an audience of the A.M.E. Zion church and was to speak to a congregation of the Baptist Church at 3 o’clock on that day, but death stole silently in as he was winding up his discourse at the Methodist church and summoned him to the bar of God. As death lay his hands upon him, a sudden change came over him. His wife rushed to him to render her assistance. He gently spoke to her saying, “Don’t get excited, I will be alright in a short while.” This did not satisfy her. She summoned several doctors. He repeated: “Don’t get excited.” He seemed to grow worse and they hastened to get him to his home in Charlotte where all attention necessary was given him until he passed away early Wednesday morning.
When a good man falls, we being to think of him in many ways. We think of his service in church, community and state. He was a great churchman and had a keen eye toward right living. He did not believe in lauding or magnifying anyone unworthy. One thing that played upon his mind was how disinterested our race was in the church. His willingness was for the uplift of humanity in church, and state. He figured highly in religious, fraternal and social circles.
Many years ago, Mr. J.W. Crockett left the little town of Lancaster, S.C., a place where many leader of Zion Methodism were born, and brought his devoted wife to join the good people of Charlotte.
His first business venture in Charlotte was insurance, after which he became a manager of the Publication House. Later he published The Progressive Messenger weekly until the day of his death.
In his home he was always jovial, full of humor and sympathy. His motive was that everybody should feel happy in his home and was always welcome to share his lot. He was a devoted husband, carrying sunshine wherever he went. He would carefully watch the sunshine and shadows of his wife. Above all, he wanted her to be happy.
Peace to his ashes.
Chester, S.C.
From page 2 of The Star of Zion, official organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, July 1, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sf88092969/1926-07-01/ed-1/seq-2/
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