Crystal Diamond Brown, 50 of Kinston, NC passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026 at Lenoir Memorial Hospital.

Born to James Richard McIntosh and Sadie Parker Guthrie on Sunday, August 3, 1975 at Onslow Memorial Hospital in North Carolina, Crystal grew to be the key that locked her family together. Her greatest joy and perhaps greatest accomplishment was to see her family tightly knit and steadfast through the tides of life. We are eternally grateful for her strong will that stood in the face of our weak moments. We remain a stronghold today because of her.

Like her father, Crystal’s first love was the water. She would never turn down the opportunity to breathe in the salty air and bring a feast home from the sea. During her lifetime as a diligent worker, Crystal maintained many occupations. Her most beloved job and that which suited her most was long-haul trucking, during which she was blessed to see the full beauty of the country she called home. While on the road, she was called into a greater purpose as a grandmother, and she settled back down locally with her family. The highlights of her life were her sons’ many successes, but the loves of her life were her grandchildren. It is impossible to measure the love she gave them and her dedication as their Nana has provided them with unmatchable memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Upon her diagnosis, Crystal asked her sister and best friend Jessica to be her caretaker. Jessica selflessly and with honor took on the role and became Crystal’s biggest cheerleader through the toughest battle she ever fought. Thank you, Jessica for being Crystal’s angel in the flesh until our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus had finished preparing a place for her and called her home.

Crystal is preceded in death by her father, James McIntosh. She is survived by sons; Dylan (Logan) Brown and Evan Brown, grandchildren; Melrissa, Brooks, Bethany, Bennett and Jayden, mother, Sadie Guthrie, siblings; James McIntosh, Brent (Elizabeth) Parker, Melissa Gutierrez and Jessica (Jamie) Strickland, as well as several extended family members and friends.