Grace L. Crispin

Grace Lucille (Dooley) Crispin died on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Care Haven Fontana where she had lived the past two years. Grace was born on July 31, 1922 to Bertie Kimbrew Dooley and Jessie Mabel (Craig) Dooley in Bosworth, Missouri. She graduated from Bosworth High School in 1941 and shortly after moved to Kansas City where she worked during WWII at North American Aviation which manufactured B-29 bombers. On June 28, 1946, she married her high school sweetheart Niles W. Crispin. Shortly after, Niles began working for the Northern Pacific Railroad which moved them to Walla Walla, Washington and Fresno, California. After the birth of their first daughter, Suzanne, Grace and Niles returned to Kansas City, MO and remained in Kansas City and, eventually, Overland Park, Kansas. They had three daughters: Suzanne, Carol, and Julie.

Grace was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and "great granny." She enjoyed cooking Sunday dinners for family and friends. Grandchildren loved her fried chicken dinners, homemade noodles, and her special chocolate cake. She loved her grandchildren: Elizabeth Lock (Mike), John C. Williams (Sarah), Tommy Williams (Jeannie), Peter Sharp, Grant Sharp and William Hailey. She was beloved "Great Granny" to Grace Lock, Katie Lock, Henry Lock, George Lock, Olivia Williams, Crispin Williams, and Vada Hailey. Extended family was very important to Grace and she never missed a Dooley family reunion where she enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews and their families. Grace was an avid reader, preferring a good book to television any time. She loved to garden and work in her yard, maintaining her own yard until into her 90's. She and Niles became members of Overland Park Christian Church in 1956 and she remained active, helping at the food pantry, working at Crosslines, participating in CWF Circle meetings and attending social gatherings and outings with church friends, until prohibited by her health. Grace was fond of dogs and owned several Springer Spaniels. Her last Springer Spaniel, Molly, given to her after Niles's death, was a loyal companion for many years.

Grace loved the poem "The Last Leaf" by Oliver Wendall Holmes and she was, in fact, the "last leaf" of seven children. She was preceded in death by her brothers Harold Dooley, Hubert Dooley, Ralph Dooley, Bob Dooley and by her two sisters Doris (Dooley) Calvert and Louise (Dooley) Sundberg. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 57 years Niles, her daughter Suzanne (Crispin) Williams and a granddaughter Megan Sharp.She is survived by two daughters, Carol McLean and Julie Sharp, and three sons-in-law, Charles McLean, Skip Sharp, and John J. Williams.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Care Haven and Compassionate Care Hospice for the loving care given to Grace and family over the past two years. They send a special thank you to caregiver Connie Cain and companion Kinsea Murphy for their love, care, and support. Both always brought a smile to Grace's face and brightened her day.

Services will be Thursday, October 31, at Overland Park Christian Church. Visitation will be from 10:30-11:00 a.m. with the service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Suzanne Crispin Williams Scholarship Fund (UMKC, 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64110) or Wharton Cemetery, Bosworth, Missouri.