Crammer, Heaton Busby

Reverend Heaton Busby Crammer was born April 21, 1916 in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, the second child of Howard Sanders and Adra Anna Busby Crammer. His life was filled with sixty-five years of ministry, comfort and hope as the note found in his Bible conveys! "Courage doesn't always roar; sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow.’" And the scripture “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him”. Lamentations 3:24.

Heaton passed away February 25, 2008.

He attended Asbury College in Kentucky where he majored in Theology, Literature and Music. Upon graduation, he was ordained as the fifth generational Methodist minister in his family.

While at Asbury, he put himself through school doing carpentry, electrical, and general maintenance for the school.

While cleaning wax from candles off the floor, a result of a big party, Earlena stumbled over him; she was on a music scholarship at Asbury and played the violin. Her "fall" for Heaton later got a proposal of marriage. He didn't get an answer until the third time he asked her. Since he'd already accepted an appointment at Pointe a La Hache, Louisiana, their honeymoon would be going to Louisiana. Earlena was from Indiana.

Heaton pastored churches throughout the Louisiana Methodist Conference for over sixty-five years. Serving smaller congregations, often several to a charge, he was known to have preached as many as four services in a Sunday, and played the piano and led the singing.

Earlena got her preacher’s license and would alternate church services so all churches would have a service every Sunday and would not have afternoon services or one every other week. They worked as a team.

As parents they volunteered as chaperons often with youth church groups, scouts, FHA, 4H, and school activities with their children, supporting them in all of their endeavors.

He loved playing dominoes and played many a game with fellow colleagues, friends and family. He really looked forward to the games everyday at Canterbury House where he had been a resident for the past five years.

Heaton belonged to the W. D. Fisher Masonic Lodge #161 and H. C. & M. E. Duncan chapter of the Eastern Star. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, crabbing, bee keeping and music. At 91 years of age he was an avid reader and LSU sports fan. He was looking forward to his 92nd birthday on April 21st.

Heaton had requested his body be donated to the Bureau of Anatomical Services. Memorial services were held on March 1, 2008 at First United Methodist Church in Pineville, Louisiana where he had been a member for the last seven years.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Earlena Esther Crammer; one brother, Howard Paul Crammer; a sister, Patricia Anna Crammer; and one grandson, Keith Sanson.

The surviving immediate family includes three children: Esther Sanson Weatherford and husband, Charlie of Deville; Robert Heaton Crammer and wife, Jane of Crestwood, Kentucky; Carol Lawrence and Ron Champagne of Mayflower, Arkansas.

Nine grandchildren: Melinda Rosier; Teresa Fairchild and husband, Donald; Kevin Sanson; Karl Sanson and wife, Johanna of Deville; Tim Crammer and wife, Ellen of Kettering, Ohio; Lisa Crammer of Clarksville, Indiana; Jennifer VanEcko and husband, Randy of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Lindsey Crace and husband, Jimmy of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Fourteen great-grandchildren: Jon and Laurin Fairchild; Luke and James Rosier; Cappel, Brendan and Emily VanEcko; Kasey and Kash Sanson; Shelby Sanson; Joseph and Jackson Crace; and Nathan and Tyler Crammer.

Extended family: Dona Kay Weatherford Johnsey; Jon Champagne; Anthony Weatherford and wife, Amanda; Aaron Gibson; Corrin, Charlie and Conner Weatherford.

Esther Sanson