Former Columbia City Councilwoman Almeta Crayton dies

Former Columbia City Councilwoman Almeta Crayton has died, according to Boone Hospital officials. She was 53.

Crayton was recently hospitalized at Boone Hospital Center, suffering from heart and kidney problems.

Crayton was known throughout Mid-Missouri for her compassion and her numerous community outreach events. Those events included “Everyone Eats,” her annual Thanksgiving feast.

Former mayor Darwin Hindman says Almeta was an amazing woman to work with because she truly understood the problems Columbia residents faced and she always worked to find a solution.

“We all enjoyed working with her and respected Almeta and I think that was felt throughout the community,” he said.

Hindman says she will be dearly missed and will never be replaced, but he does believe others in the community will step up to continue her outreach events.

Mayor Bob McDavid opened Monday night’s meeting by honoring Crayton. He said she left behind a legacy and made the city of Columbia a better place.

In July, community and church members volunteered to renovate Crayton’s home, giving her and her family new flooring, a new porch and other housewares for free.

She represented the First Ward for nine years after first being elected in 1999.

Funeral arrangements for Crayton have not yet been finalized.