Ada Critton

Ada Bernice Critton was born in Emerson, Arkansas, on March 19, 1934, to Raleigh and Fannie Johnson. She was the youngest daughter of eight children born to their union.

Ada accepted Christ at an early age and united with Pine Hill C.M.E. Church in Emerson, Arkansas. Upon relocating to El Dorado, Arkansas, she united with First St. James Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev L. D. Champion, the late  Rev. Talmadge Dunwood, and current Rev. Roy C. Aaron, Jr., where she remained a very faithful servant until her health failed, so God called her to sit down.

Ada attended the McMittress-Emerson School District, where she was an avid basketball player and was later crowned Miss McMittress of 1950-1951.

She married the love of her life Doyce Ray Critton, Sr., on May 26, 1956, and to their union, eight children were born.

Ada was employed by Union Memorial Hospital for more than twenty years, where she was head cook in the dietary department. Ada was dedicated to her commitment as the Sunday School Superintendent and the leader of the Kitchen Committee. She was a member of the church choir; involved in Circle meetings, Baptist Training Union (B.T.U.), and C.O.F.F.E.E. ministries. Various of her proud moments were singing in the Golden Pioneer Choir. She was a gifted baker and fed many within her community.

Ada enjoyed attending Champagnolle Landing daily, playing Bingo playing dominoes, fishing, and traveling to visit her sisters and brothers in. She loved crossword puzzles, sports, Tyler Perry movies (Madea), dressing up for church, and wearing her church hats. Ada spent most of her time with her family-enjoying her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ada was preceded in death by her parents, Raleigh and Fannie Johnson; her husband, Doyce R. Critton, Sr.; her three daughters, Linda Dunmore, Gwendolyn Bell, and Gloria Miller; two sons, Doyce Ray Critton, Jr. and Terry Critton, Sr., one granddaughter, Artoba Williams, one grandson, Eddie Mosley, Jr., one great-grandson, Octavious Critton Jr., and five brothers and two sisters.

She leaves a loving legacy to her only son Michael Critton Sr., her two daughters, Joyce Johnson (Lovell) and Debra Willis, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She loved her Pastor & First Lady Aaron. Mrs. Aaron would say (Smile), "come on, Mrs. Critton, while I sing this song, I can't sing it without your help."