Birth date: Nov 21, 1961 Death date: Mar 18, 2020
Susan Beth Crumpler passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 18th after a courageous battle with cancer. She is proceeded in death by her father, Carl B. Crumpler. She is survived by her mother, Mary Jane Crumpler; her brothers Mic Read Obituary
Went to law school with Beth and counted her as one of my friends. Despite the rigors of school, she was always available with a smile or a laugh.
Haven’t seen or talked to her since graduation and just became aware of her passing. Am not surprised by the glowing testimonials as they accurately describe the person that I knew. She was truly special.
Susan Crumpler was an amazing human being and she will be kindly missed. If it wasn't for her there would have been no justice for my daughter or for me. My heart hurts to know that someone who held the hands of so many through their pain is no longer here to guide those who need her most. She will be very fondly missed by those whose lives she changed. My heart hurts with and for those she left behind. Thank you, Susan, for being a light during some of our darkest days.
Sadly as I sit here in a new office as a new Community Outreach Therapist at Sexual Assault Services in Battlecreek, Michigan, I was drawn to look up Beth's number at the court house in Lake County, Florida, my home. Beth was the very reason my case was seen through and my rapist was prosecuted. It was Beth that walked me through each step with her kind and thoughtful responses. At the time I was pregnant ( seven years ago) and in Mississippi with my military family. Now, years later and finally completing my education with her encouragement, I am a graduate of Florida State University with my LLMSW serving those victims of sexual assault. I never expected to find her obituary but rather wanted to reach out and let her know just how much I appreciate everything she did for me. Prayers and blessings to her family and friends.
Sincerely,
Brandy Koester Currie, LLMSW
Community Outreach Therapist
Sexual Assault Services, Battlecreek, Michigan
Beth Crumpler was such an instrumental force in the creation of Companions for Courage, and was one of our biggest fans. We will miss her.
Companions for Courage
www.companionsforcourage.org
One of the sweetest most sincere people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.
What am amazing woman. I am so honored to call you my friend. You fought a good flight. I will miss you so much. Rip my friend.
I met Beth a little over 15 years ago when we were both on Judge Singeltary’s docket handling cases. We were on opposite sides of the criminal justice system. She was a prosecutor and I was a criminal defense attorney working for the public defender’s office. Through the years we handled hundreds and hundreds of cases together, maybe more. We tried so many cases together, so many hearings, so many court dates, so many disputed issues. Beth always comported herself in the most professional way. She was an advocate for her cause, but at the same time was compassionate when the situation deserved it. She was mostly jovial in her dealings with me, professionally, though, of course there were times when discussions would get heated, but she knew we were just doing our jobs and she never took it personally or made it personal. She was an advocate for her cause and those who knew Beth well, know that she was an opinionated, passionate person so she made her positions clear when it came to her cases, but there was never, ever, any animosity or ill intent towards the defendant or his/her advocate. I had the pleasure and honor of becoming her friend as well throughout the years and I have so many wonderful memories of laughing and joking around as she guzzled down her 7&7’s and I had my tanqueray and tonics. I remember that loud, wonderful laugh of hers with a drink in one hand and a cigy in the other. She was always so jovial and absolutely content with her life, which is an example for all of us. She was happy with her life and wanted others to be happy as well. She loved to talk about her parents and her family and her adventures. She loved to talk about her trips to New Orleans and when she lived in California. Mostly, she loved to laugh and enjoy the company of her friends. That’s the Beth I’ll always remember. I am so very grateful that I have all those memories with her and that I was one of the fortunate ones that can call her a friend. I look forward to raising a glass to her and sharing memories of her with her family and friends at O’Keefe’s when the time is right. It’s so wonderfully fitting that is where her memorial will be. Anyone who was friends with Beth has certainly spent time with her there. She loved it there and they loved her. We will miss you, my friend. You will not be forgotten. Rest easy, my friend.
I will never forget when I first became a secretary with the State. Beth was my attorney. She was so very Helpful in teaching me the ropes that I never knew. Beth took so much pride in her work and the caring of victims. Always willing to help others in and outside the office. Beth went to Italy and brought me back a gift. It was a small, but very heavy, Trojan Horse.I will keep this gift forever. It is still setting in my office and every time I look at it, I think of her and how sweet and wonderful she was to all. Beth was also with me when my first Grandbaby was born. Not to long ago, she was in my office asking about him and could not believe that it was 15 years ago.
You will be so very missed. I will miss the laugh we shared.
One of my favorite memories is of one summer long ago. I was about 15-16 and visiting my grandmother here in Florida. Beth came over to visit and we both headed to dinner and the movies. During dinner we had a friendly argument over the death penalty. I am for and she was adamantly against. She talked about working with the ACLU. We continued the argument in the movie to the annoyance of everyone else. I think it was one of the Batman movies. Shortly after that she was a lawyer. Quite a few years later we sat down together and I said, "Remember that argument we had all those years ago? She looked blankly at me for a moment and then guffawed. "Burn them. I have seen so many horrors in this world I changed my position." Needless to say we had a good laugh. I remember it so vividly because she became a staunch defender of children in the court system. She was a strong proponent of Companions for Courage, which utilizes dogs to help children cope with the horrors in and out of the courtroom. Her life and work affected so many people in a positive way. Love you Beth, even though we didn't stay as close as we should have you are in my thoughts and prayers.
