Crystelle Scudder Sanders

Crystelle Scudder Sanders took leave of this earth January 14, 2014. She was born August 19, 1916, to Kirby Lee and Buelah Scudder in Plainview, Texas. She lived life in the attack mode. At age 6, Crystelle won the first of many piano contests around West Texas and graduated from Slaton High School in 1933. She earned her way through Texas Tech playing piano for the dance department and receptions at the president’s home. She also taught piano lessons to children in the community. Crystelle was a member of the San Souci social club that became Kappa Alpha Theta in 1953. She continued to earn Masters Degrees in music and music education. In 1938 Crystelle married A.C. Sanders Jr. and over the next several years developed a large private practice of piano and voice students. She developed a musical kindergarten, teaching kids reading, writing, and arithmetic through music. In 1964, she and A.C. moved to El Paso where they both taught in EPISD: A.C. chemistry and physics, and Crystelle music. She taught elementary school music. With the advent of the Head Start Program, she was selected to participate in the pilot project. Crystelle developed methodology to teach English using Music as a medium. During the 1970’s, Crystelle served as choir director at Austin High School. She retired from teaching in 1987. She and A.C. moved to The Monte Vista Retirement Center in 1998. Crystelle played the grand piano in the lobby prior to the noon meal on most days and knew every resident’s favorite song. She also played each Sunday morning for the church service provided the residents until this past June. She took seriously her self-appointed ministry of visiting the infirmed downstairs in the healthcare unit. They were members of St. Francis on the Hill Episcopal Church where she was an active vestry member and served with Daughters of the King. Crystelle was preceded in death by her husband in 2005, her parents, and brother, Kirby Lee Scudder, Jr. She is succeeded by son A.C. III (Mary), daughter Cindy Kahl (George), grandsons Cullen, Jerry, Kindle (Shelly), and Joe, and one great granddaughter Madison. Memorial service will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at St. Francis on the Hill Episcopal Church followed by internment in the columbarium in the church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Francis on the Hill Episcopal Church.