Beyond politics, Brenda Crowe
Bensblurb #575 10/22/10
Beyond politics, a local jewel
Today’s fever and folderol, given the GOP’s tidal wave due momentarily, is understandable. And for sure, get with it and vote early and often.
But for a moment, I’d like to pause and pay a nonpolitical tribute to an area resident. She has served Stafford longer and certainly more congenially than just about any politician or anyone else you can name--and before they ever broke ground for most of north Stafford and Aquia Harbour.
Indeed, when it comes to honoring Stafford’s unsung heroes, this individual would certainly top my list.
No politician herself, she has nevertheless been giving us her best here for over 50 years. Her dad had moved the family to Quantico in the service, from Tennessee where she had been born and raised, on a farm.
Once here, she immediately began driving...a taxicab...and hasn’t totally stopped yet. My wife and I have enjoyed her services and friendship for all our 32 years in Stafford generally and Aquia Harbour in particular.
Brenda Crowe, at age 87, is still awesome. Her “Brenda’s Taxi” has been tooling around the area longer than just about any local enterprise you can name. She always bragged about being involved in only one auto accident, and never getting a traffic fine. She still has received not even a single ticket.
But after surviving a heart attack, about three years ago she had a head-on collision with a big pickup truck that had run a red light at the intersection of Hope Road and U.S. 1. That could have ended the taxi service and Brenda herself.
It was a close call. And since then she’s had other sundry ailments. However, her taxi service, aided by other drivers (much younger, of course) still thrives. Just call 659-3295 and see for yourself.
If a man answers, though, don’t hang up. It’s probably Timothy Nageotte, who has been helping Brenda sustain her business and get her through her numerous health problems that have arisen recently. .
For many years a widow, Brenda’s son and two daughters also reside in Stafford, along with her three grandchildren. At home, she has kept her bungalow on Stafford Avenue near the Court House in good shape for over 50 years, while maintaining numerous colorful plantings in her small yard. Over a decade ago, she gifted me and my wife Carole Lee with one of her large potted plants. Just like her, it’s still going strong.
I am so happy we’ve chosen to live here since the late 1970s, and Brenda’s enduring friendship has been a reason.
I mentioned her in an article I wrote here in 1997. It told of a certain fare she had taxied from Quantico. A career Marine Corps officer riding with her marveled that he had also ridden with her on a similar ride 20 years earlier..
Brenda Crowe, a genuine Stafford icon, has for many years attended Stafford’s Victory Baptist Church. May God keep blessing her and her taxi service.
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Beyond politics, a local jewel
Today’s fever and folderol, given the GOP’s tidal wave due momentarily, is understandable. And for sure, get with it and vote early and often.
But for a moment, I’d like to pause and pay a nonpolitical tribute to an area resident. She has served Stafford longer and certainly more congenially than just about any politician or anyone else you can name--and before they ever broke ground for most of north Stafford and Aquia Harbour.
Indeed, when it comes to honoring Stafford’s unsung heroes, this individual would certainly top my list.
No politician herself, she has nevertheless been giving us her best here for over 50 years. Her dad had moved the family to Quantico in the service, from Tennessee where she had been born and raised, on a farm.
Once here, she immediately began driving...a taxicab...and hasn’t totally stopped yet. My wife and I have enjoyed her services and friendship for all our 32 years in Stafford generally and Aquia Harbour in particular.
Brenda Crowe, at age 87, is still awesome. Her “Brenda’s Taxi” has been tooling around the area longer than just about any local enterprise you can name. She always bragged about being involved in only one auto accident, and never getting a traffic fine. She still has received not even a single ticket.
But after surviving a heart attack, about three years ago she had a head-on collision with a big pickup truck that had run a red light at the intersection of Hope Road and U.S. 1. That could have ended the taxi service and Brenda herself.
It was a close call. And since then she’s had other sundry ailments. However, her taxi service, aided by other drivers (much younger, of course) still thrives. Just call 659-3295 and see for yourself.
If a man answers, though, don’t hang up. It’s probably Timothy Nageotte, who has been helping Brenda sustain her business and get her through her numerous health problems that have arisen recently. .
For many years a widow, Brenda’s son and two daughters also reside in Stafford, along with her three grandchildren. At home, she has kept her bungalow on Stafford Avenue near the Court House in good shape for over 50 years, while maintaining numerous colorful plantings in her small yard. Over a decade ago, she gifted me and my wife Carole Lee with one of her large potted plants. Just like her, it’s still going strong.
I am so happy we’ve chosen to live here since the late 1970s, and Brenda’s enduring friendship has been a reason.
I mentioned her in an article I wrote here in 1997. It told of a certain fare she had taxied from Quantico. A career Marine Corps officer riding with her marveled that he had also ridden with her on a similar ride 20 years earlier..
Brenda Crowe, a genuine Stafford icon, has for many years attended Stafford’s Victory Baptist Church. May God keep blessing her and her taxi service.
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posted by Ben Blankenship at
9:03 AM
