Obituaries

In Loving Memory
Lois H. Crabtree
10/25/1915 - 07/16/2010

Lois H. Crabtree, 94, of Lenexa, Kansas, and a longtime resident of Kansas City, Kansas, died Friday, July 16, 2010, at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Her funeral services are on Thursday, July 22, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Grandview Baptist Church, 2400 Grandview Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas (burial following the funeral in at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens). Friends may call from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21 at the Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. Memorial contributions are suggested to the church or the Kansas City, Kansas School Foundation for Excellence.

Lois was born October 25, 1915 in Van Buren, Arkansas; she grew up in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, and moved to Kansas City, Kansas after the war. Lois raised her family in Kansas City, Kansas, spent her retirement years in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and then moved to Lakeview Village in Lenexa for the last 15 years of her life. She had graduated from Northeastern (Okla.) State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and began her teaching career in 1935 in Oklahoma. She taught for ten years in Oklahoma schools, including one-room schoolhouses at Watts and Rocky Point, and then at the high school in Pryor, Oklahoma. After her husband returned from the war, they moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where Lois taught in the Kansas City, Kansas public schools for the next 25 years. She taught at Major Hudson and Morse Elementary Schools before becoming Program Specialist for the Career Education Program, and finished her career in USD 500 as the Supervising Teacher for all fifth grade teachers in the school system. After retiring and moving to Northwest Arkansas, Lois resumed teaching. She taught, full-time, for two more years in the Bentonville, Arkansas, public schools and then worked as a substitute teacher and tutor until the age of 77. Lois loved to teach children to read, write, and think clearly. And she always expected proper grammar.

Lois married Cleo V. (Charlie) Crabtree in 1944, just weeks before he left for the war in Europe. They were married to one another for 55 years until his death in 1999. She was a longtime member of the Grandview Baptist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, and a fifty-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Daughter of the American Revolution.

Lois' survivors include: her two sons, Edward (Mike) Crabtree, and his wife, Markie; and Dan Crabtree, and his wife, Maureen Mahoney; three grandchildren, Jeremy, Jonathan, and Colleen; and four great-grandchildren, Peyton, Avery, Emerson, and Aniston. Lois is also survived by her only sibling, John Hawkins, Jr., and his wife, a lifelong friend to Lois, Marie; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will be forever grateful to Latania, Judy, Lynette, Naomi, Andy, Joseph, Carol, Theresa, Aaron and the entire staff at Lakeview Village, and Stacie of Crossroads Hospice. They cared for Lois with great kindness and devotion during her final months. She will miss them all very much. (Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com Arrangements: Porter Funeral Home & Crematory, 1835 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas)

From: Pat/Gary Gaunce
Relationship: friend

We were so fortunate to have had many wonderful experiences with Lois during our childrens teen years. She was one of the most caring and thoughtful friends we had. We will always be grateful to her for "sharing" Dan with us. She set the highest of standards for herself and always met that goal. What a legacy she leaves behind! Hugs to all. Pat and Gary
Sent: 07/20/2010

From: Jim and Katy White
Relationship: teacher, friend, co-worker

Lois was a wonderful teacher and friend. She worked with my husband, Jim, in the Bentonville School System. Jimmy was a principal with the district for many years before he retired. Most importantly, she taught our son, Joey, who is 44 now. He loved her. Joey was very good in mathematics. He liked to work on statistics. Lois peaked his interest in reading by letting him use Sports Illustrated, etc., in the classroom. Wonderful lady-full of Gods Grace. Jim and Katy White 3207 Red Fox Ridge Bentonville, Arkansas 72712
Sent: 07/21/2010

From: Joey White
Relationship: former student

Many of us can remember one teacher who made a difference in our lives. Mrs. Crabtree was that teacher for me. Truly great teachers are never easy task masters because the push you to reach your potential. I was a C student before Mrs. Crabtree and mostly an A student all the way through college after a year with Mrs. Crabtree. As a young student, I had issues with paying attention. I remember vividly all those years ago that somehow Mrs. Crabtree always sensed the very second that my attention drifted. She most have called me back to attention hundreds of times that one year. From her efforts, I learned to hyper focus my attention on whatever task was at hand. Wow, what a gift from God that the Lord allowed me to spend that one year as a student of Mrs. Crabtree. She was truly gifted to teach.
Sent: 07/25/2010

From: Stacy Durham Falcon
Relationship: Tutor and neighbor to my grandparents

Lois Crabtree was a terrific lady. I count myself blessed that I had the opportunity to have her in my life. She and Charlie lived across the street from my grandparents, Claude and Barbara Wylie on Kenton Lane in Bella Vista. The Crabtrees were very special to my family. Lois tutored me in math when I was in middle school. She was a fantastic educator ane encourager. I am very thankful for the memories I have of this beautiful lady. She taught me more than math, she encouraged my growth in Jesus Christ. That can never be repaid. May God bless her family.
Sent: 07/28/2010

From: Steve Colson
Relationship: colleague

So sorry to hear about Lois passing. She was my 5th grade teacher coordinator at Morse School in KCK and I have such fond memories of her. Our principal at that time, Sybil Fisher, so admired Lois and Lois would often come to Morse to join us for lunch. She was immensely helpful tome--a true professional.
Sent: 08/16/2010

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