Mrs. Britanna Pinkney Cromartie

Britanna Priscilla “Pat” Pinkney Cromartie was born to the late Andrew, Sr., and Maggie Bennett Pinkney on January 3, 1932, in Sumter, South Carolina. She answered the Master’s call from her earthly labor to heaven’s reward of eternal peace on October 18, 2025, in Sumter, South Carolina. At an early age, she accepted Christ, and no matter where she journeyed in life, she always found herself in the church of her choice. She grew up in St. Phillips United Methodist Church of Sumter. In later years, she moved to Charleston and joined Shiloh A.M.E. Church. Upon returning to Sumter in 1965, she became a member of Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church and remained a faithful and dedicated member. At Mt. Pisgah, Mrs. Cromartie served in many capacities; as a Steward, a Class Leader, the Missionary Society, New Horizon Ministry, and sang on several choirs. She was also a member of the Lay Organization, where she was elected Lay Person of the Year for the Sumter District. Mrs. Cromartie was a graduate of Lincoln High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree (1955) and a Master’s Degree (1962) in Elementary Education from South Carolina State University (College), Orangeburg, S.C. She did extensive studies as the first Afro-American to receive the Ford Foundation grant from the State of South Carolina to be trained as a leader in the transition and integration of the public schools in Sumter School District #17. Additionally, she did further studies at A&I State University (Tennessee State University) and earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance at George Peabody, Vanderbilt University. After returning home, she was the first hired Elementary School Guidance Counselor for Sumter School District #17, and later, the first Afro-American Counselor at Alice Drive Middle School. With her training and determination to bring the races together, she ran for President of the Personnel and Guidance Association of the State of South Carolina (ACA). Once again, as the inaugural Afro-American Counselor to serve as President and to integrate the Sumer County Mental Health Board of Directors. After serving as an educator for 37 years, she retired in 1992. Mrs. Cromartie was very active in the community. Some of her affiliations were: NAACP, YWCA, NCNW, South Carolina Education Association, National Education Association, American Counseling Association, Wateree AIDS Task Force & The HIV Prevention Collaborative, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for over 70 years. Also, her insatiable desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children led her to establish “Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Inc.,” where she served and mentored children of all races in counseling and tutoring. In December 1958, she married Herman Bright, Jr., and from this union, a daughter was born, Dr. Alberta Sierra Bright Neal. Later, in November 1974, she became the wife of her devoted husband Leroy Lynwood Cromartie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Lynwood Cromartie; her three brothers, Andrew Pinkney, Jr., Willie Pinkney, and Clifton Pinkney; three sisters, Agnes Pinkney Kearse, Annie Pinkney Porter, and Maggie Cook. She leaves to cherish precious memories, her daughter, Dr. Alberta Sierra (Pierre) Neal, two grandsons, Pierre Ricardo Neal, II, and Christopher Andrew Neal; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Mrs. Britanna Pinkney Cromartie

January 3, 1932 - October 18, 2025