CRYSTAL PLATT

1923 - 2008

Dear Mom
You were the kindest, dearest mother to ever have. You chose us..... and loved us truly with all your heart. We will cherish and appreciate the many memories we have of you. We will never forget the unconditional love and service you gave. You will be in our hearts always.
Love Deveney, Cameron and Shelley.
---------------------------------------------
Crystal Mae Payne Platt, beloved wife of the late Lyle Miles Platt, departed this life at her home in Barnwell on Monday, October 27, 2008, surrounded by her family, at the age of 85 years.
Crystal is survived by her children Deveney (Clifton) Walters of Kona, Hawaii, Cameron (Mary Ann) of Lethbridge and Shelley Platt (Rick Burla) of Barnwell. She was the beloved grandmother of eight grandchildren Trent (Cheryl) Walters, Brett (Sandy) Walters, Lynae (Seth) Gambee, Kelli Ann (Duane) Ellingson, Tiffany (Sherman) Williams, Clark (Samantha) Platt, Curtis (Ashley) Platt, Tayler Platt-Burla; fifteen great grandchildren Megan, Bailey, Riley, Jalen, Payton, Dylan, Sydney, Brock, Rocco, Abygail, Grayson, Dax, Gracie, Corson and Krew.
She was predeceased by her parents, siblings and their spouses. She was the last living descendant of Frank and Crystal Payne.
Crystal was our rock, our pillar of strength and our solid foundation. She touched all our lives in her very special way.
Crystal was the youngest child of Frank and Crystal Payne. She grew up with five brothers and two sisters in a loving home where everyone learned how to work.
She took most of her schooling in Mountain View, Alberta where she graduated from High School. Her family lived right next to Payne Lake which was named after her parents. She then went to Calgary and enrolled in Beauty school and then later enrolled in Secretarial school where she graduated in 1942. Crystal had many good memories of the fun times that she and her girlfriends had while living at “The Riot Hall” in Calgary. While working in Calgary, she met a wonderful man from Brant, Alberta who she married on October 17, 1945 in the Alberta Temple. Crystal and Lyle have fond memories of going to dances, sporting events and spending time with their friends and family.
Following their marriage they lived in Brant for four years where they ran the Platt farm. Crystal and Lyle moved to Taber in the fall of 1949 and then to Barnwell in the spring of 1950 where they made Barnwell their permanent home.
Crystal’s devotion to family, church and community has shown in the untold hours of service she has given in these areas. Her talent for organizing and her love of helping people were manifested throughout her life. Her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was very important to her and she was active and faithful and had a strong testimony. She served in leadership and teaching positions in all church organizations including serving as Stake Primary President in three Stakes and held that position for ten years.
Crystal was a very generous woman, a wonderful wife and mother and her sense of loyalty and responsibility to her family was her number one priority. She loved people and loved to work. Crystal had great compassion for people and she always tried to look on the bright side of life through the many hardships she endured. Mom’s favorite saying was “I’ll be better tomorrow”!
Crystal was a wonderful cook and hostess and she loved to have family and friends into her home for wonderful meals. She loved to bake and can from her huge garden and would be happy to share with anyone who needed it and did just that. She has a beautiful soprano voice and loved to sing and sang in church and community choirs.
She loved to watch and support her children and grandchildren in various events. Everyone always knew when Crystal was attending these events by her distinctively loud and shrill whistle which she learned to do while herding sheep at Payne Lake as a child.
Crystal was a beautiful woman and always took pride in how she presented herself to others. She loved and appreciated things of beauty. She loved mountains, lakes, horses and cattle grazing on a green hillside and flowers. Her favorite flowers were gladiolus which she and Lyle grew in their garden and shared with friends and neighbors.
Crystal will be remembered as a dear woman with great strength, a generous heart and a love for people. She was “Mom”, “Grandma”, “Sis”, “Aunt Crystal” and “Friend” to many who knew her and a tremendous matriarch to her own family. Her greatest love was to be around her family, friends and to laugh and enjoy each other. Crystal’s wish was that we give service, work hard, love one another and be happy.
Compassion and caring seemed to come easy to mom. She was always willing to lend a hand and offer unconditional love and acceptance to her family and friends. They knew her quiet strength and faith. Her first love was her family and then her service and dedication to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and could always be found helping those in need.
Mom will be missed by all who loved her... but, leaves a legacy of influence and good memories for us all to remember.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, November 2, 2008 between 6:00 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. and at the church prior to the funeral service on Monday, November 3, 2008 between 10:30 A.M. to 11:40 A.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Barnwell Chapel on Monday, November 3, 2008 at 12:00 P.M. with Bishop Eric Jensen conducting. Burial to follow at the Barnwell Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Crystal’s name may be made directly to the Taber Hospital Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber T1G 1N9.