Crystal Gladys Goodwin Ochsner

Crystal Ochsner, 1996, age 90

Charlie and Crystal Ochsner collection

• October 11, 1905 - Born in Davidson, Oklahoma.
• 1928 - United with Chattanooga First Baptist Church by letter.
• September 6, 1930 - Married Charlie Edward Ochsner.
• Four children born.
• September 3, 1974 - Moved to Chattanooga.
• January 8, 1992 - Widowed (age 86).
• November 26, 2003 - Died at the Winlen Oaks Living Center in Fredrick (age 98).
• Buried in Chattanooga Cemetery.

In 1928, a young new school teacher moved into the Chattanooga area and began teaching at Sunset View, the local one-room school. This young lady wasted no time in becoming involved with the community; she joined the First Baptist Church of Chattanooga in September of that same year. When Charlie saw her, he told his friend Raymond Carson, "I'm going to marry that new school teacher." And marry her he did. Charlie and Crystal married on September 6, 1930. Their courtship began when Charlie attended a box supper held at the Sunset View school. Charlie outbid several other suitors for the new school teacher's box. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1990, two years before Charlie's death in January 1992 at the age of 93.

Crystal is remembered for keeping up with everyone in the family. She is the person who wrote letters to her nine brothers and sisters, who kept up with all the family weddings, who wrote down the names of all the children born into the family, and who wrote two family history books—one for the Ochsner side of the family, the other for the Goodwin side.

Crystal will also be remembered for being an excellent hostess, especialy to the grandchildren. She had a way of making each grandchild feel important and making each grandchild feel as if he or she was her favorite. One of her grandchildren recently stated to be sure to write that Grandmother liked watermelon. Watermelon was a favorite treat of hers that she enjoyed sharing with everyone.