Carolyn Dorsett Crum

Carolyn Dorsett Crum, age 76, departed this life on July 9, 2016. She was born in Trenton, TN on Feb. 4, 1940. A gifted and diligent student, she won a National Merit Scholarship as a high school senior. She pursued her great love of history at Memphis State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree. She held two Master’s Degrees from the University of Tennessee; one in History, the second in Social Work. Although she taught history at the college level early in her working years, the bulk of her professional career was in the social work field. She began her career with TN Dept. of Human Services. Her last employer was the U.S. Naval Hospital at Millington from which she retired in 2001. Always politically engaged, Carolyn was an ardent feminist and a long time member and supporter of the Nation Organization for Women in its effort to secure equal rights for women. Blessed with a boundless curiosity and a great zest for life, Carolyn pursued a great variety of interests. She was a voracious reader, loved the theater, enjoyed flower gardening and tracing her family history through genealogy. She was also a passionate runner and participated in the Elvis Presley 5K Run for Charity for many years. Her great love of travel led to numerous trips to Great Britain and the European Continent as well as frequent excursions to New York City to attend plays on Broadway. Additionally, Carolyn was an animal lover and over the course of her life adopted many homeless cats and dogs. She simply could not ignore any animal in need. Finally, Carolyn was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Blake and Lida Dorsett. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Ronald B. Crum; her daughter, Leah R. Allison; her son-in-law, Lee M. Allison and her grandson, Hadley Blake Allison. A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. in the Life Remembrance Center of Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis TN. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to service time. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mrs. Crum may be offered to the ASPCA or the Memphis Public Library.