Frances Louise Crabtree

Frances L. Crabtree (Fran), 84, widow of Ralph D. Crabtree passed away peacefully on August 7, 2024, in her home. She was born on Oct. 19, 1939, to William Amos (W.A.) Gibbs and Lucille Rogers Gibbs in Holly Grove, AR.

Fran loved her family and her treasured time with her two children, grandsons, and great-grandson, and her 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry R. Henson of Millington, TN; her son, Donald R. Crabtree of Hudson, FL; her grandsons, John P. Henson, Jr. (Josh Wynn) of Memphis, TN, and Joshua A. Henson of Millington, TN; and her precious great-grandson, Jack P. Henson of Maryville, TN. Her siblings: Doris H. Fisher of Bellevue, NE, Pauline Wilson (Jimmy) of Holly Grove, AR, Charles Amos Gibbs (Lulu) of Clarendon, AR, Walter Gibbs (Patricia) of Cabot, AR and Barbara Cothran (Charles) of Oakland, TN, not to leave out countless nieces and nephews and her large extended family that she treasured special connections with plus many life-long friends.

Fran was a true maverick as the Director Human Resource at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. She was instrumental in countless changes that improved patient care as well as employee benefit packages including their first 401K retirement plan, recognition of milestones, company picnics, the hospital uniform stage and numerous other impactful decisions. Fran gave countless employees the opportunity and encouragement to obtain their career dreams throughout the Mid-South.

Fran’s family will cherish memories of this petite dynamo, which had extraordinary determination and tenacity to overcome childhood polio at the age of 2. Fran was an honorary cheerleader, the high school editor, and the Valedictorian of her class in Holly Grove, AR. She earned a full scholarship to Arkansas State University in Batesville, AR where she met the love of her life and husband, Ralph.

When Fran and Ralph became grandparents, it was with an enduring love for John, Jr. and Josh that they built their first retirement home in Millington, TN around the corner from the boys. They finally moved to

Fran’s dream home in Spring Hill, FL to really retire. It was near their son, Don and for 16 years they genuinely enjoyed the warm sun, sunsets on the beach, golfing, visits from family and special times with Don. When their great-grandson, Jack, came along they moved back to TN for a year to care for him every day.

Fran was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph D. Crabtree; father, W.A. Gibbs and mother, Lucille R. Gibbs; siblings, Thelma Lee; Donald (Shirley) Gibbs, Joe Gibbs, Helen Gibbs, Jack Gibbs and Robert Gibbs.

**Special thanks to Fran’s special caregivers: Ashlynn, Dawn Cates, Beverly Sterling, Tammy Ballard, and her personal nurse and bonus daughter, Sharon Thompson, and finally Bertha Mcleod her “angel” every day for the last 2 years.

A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.

at West Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church

3099 West Union Road

Millington, TN 38053