About Crystal

I was born in a military hospital in Germany because my dad was in the Army. I’m the youngest of five children.

I spent lots of my young years in New Albany, Indiana where I was corn-shucking and multiplication queen of my third grade class.

I’m ambidextrous, which means I can write with both hands.

I wore a wig to school my entire fifth grade year because I hated my hair.

I had two dates to an eighth grade sweetheart dance in which I was a candidate for Sweetheart Queen. (whoops!) I apologized to both guys because one had asked me very, very early and I’d forgotten. It was awkward for awhile, but then all three of us shrugged, got on the dance floor and shook what our mommas gave us! Ended up being one of the best dances ever!

In high school, I taught everyone in our choir to do the robot and we performed it in a concert.

Like Lamar, I had asthma. I grew out of it, though, when I was 16.

I’m married, have two sons and we live in Texas. My husband’s parents and siblings are from Tennessee and when they come to visit, we have a Texas/Tennessee bowling war where we all talk trash and try to bowl like Lamar.

Crystal reads JUNETEENTH FOR MAZIE by Floyd Cooper