Countess Marie Crenchaw Murphy was born on September 8, 1955, in Tuskegee, Alabama, to DOTA Tuskegee Airman Milton Pitts Crenchaw Sr. and Ruby Hockehull Crenchaw, both of whom preceded her in death. She w a s the fourth child born to their union. Her brother, Dr. Milton Pitts Crenchaw Jr., and her husband, Mr. Horace Murphy Jr., also preceded her in death. Countess spent her early years in Ozark, Alabama, where her family was stationed at Fort Rucker. She attended F l o w e r s Elementary School and was an active member of First Baptist Church of Ozark where she gave her life to Christ. Later, when the family relocated to Fort Stewart, Georgia, she completed her high school education at Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, Georgia; and was a faithful member of Midway Congregational Church. She was a talented basketball player and had a deep passion for fashion design and modeling. Her beauty and elegance were nationally recognized when she was featured as "Beauty of the Week" in Jet Magazine on September 8, 1977. She pursued her love for fashion at Auburn University in Alabama, where she majored in Fashion and Design. Countess began her professional journey as a retail buyer at Maxwell Air Force Base before opening her own boutique in Jackson, Mississippi. She later transitioned into real estate, where she excelled as an agent with ReMax, earning multiple awards in Gulfport, Mississippi. Later in her career, she became an independent insurance agent, traveling extensively throughout the United States and Canada. After the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued working remotely before eventually retiring and settling in Houston, Texas, where she passed away on March 22, 2025. Countess lived a vibrant and fulfilling life, touching the hearts of many with her kindness, ambition, and elegance. She will be remembered for her entrepreneurial spirit, love of fashion, affection for her cats, and dedication to her family, friends, and community. Countess leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She is survived by: Siblings • Dolores Crenchaw Singleton (Lake Spivey, Georgia) • Erwin Charles Crenchaw (Dorel) (Washington, D.C.) Nieces & Nephews • Marc Crenshaw - Chicago, Illinois • Chris C. Crenchaw - Tucker, Georgia • Treci (Milton) Watkin - Missouri City, Texas • Robert Crenchaw (Shannon) Singleton - Missouri City, Texas • Dexter (Jamila) Crenchaw - Decatur, Georgia • Joshua Crenchaw - Lithonia, Georgia • Ruby Crenshaw - St. Paul, Minnesota Cousins: • Gene (Jetty) Johnson - Pine Bluff, Arkansas • Joan (Joe) Taylor - Pearland, Texas • Hermia Board - Gary, Indiana • Marc (Ruth) Welch - Bloomington, Illinois • Michael Welch - Carbondale, Illinois • Trotter Welch - Carbondale, Illinois • Dr. Lewis Watts - Fort Richmond, California • Ethel Watts - Sacramento, California • Nataska Yousef - Baltimore, Maryland • Virginia Fowler Ford - Little Rock, Arkansas • Harrietta Fowler Lindsey - Little Rock, Arkansas • Doris Fowler Wilson - Oklahoma • Renee Fowler Hornbuckle - Arlington, Texas Great-Nieces & Great-Nephews • Alex Crenshaw • Caleb S. Crenshaw • Nina S. Singleton • Peyton C. Crenchaw • Miles X. Crenchaw Chacon • Milton B. Watkin • Taylor N. Watkin • Braxton Singleton • Amia Cruz Countess will also be deeply missed by a host of relatives, friends, colleagues, and mentees, along with her special friends Sandora Smith and Harriston Smith.
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