Gwendolyn Jane Crumpecker

Gwendolyn Jane Crumpecker, age 97, passed away January 31, 2013, at Trezevant Manor in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a longtime resident of Sikeston and Wappapello, Missouri. In later years, she lived in Naples, Florida, where she enjoyed warmer climes, the Gulf waters, and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2007, as her health began to decline, she moved to the Village at Germantown in Memphis, to be near her daughter.

Gwen was born December 31, 1915, in Farmington, Missouri, to Naomi and John Robinson, DDS. She had two wonderful younger sisters, Mrs. Pat Campbell and Mrs. Sue Bertschinger, both of whom predeceased her. While growing up as a self proclaimed “tomboy”, tree climber, and baseball player, Gwen also sang solos at the Farmington Methodist Church with her father accompanying her on the piano. As a teen, Gwen assisted her grandfather in his medical office. She often went on house calls with him in a Model T.

After high school, Gwen wanted to study to be a fashion designer. In the midst of the Great Depression, she attended Washington University in St. Louis and Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, where she met Clarence Crumpecker, a young entrepreneur from Morehouse, Missouri. Even though a college student, he was a partner with his father (later his brother, Norman) in family businesses that included farms, a cotton gin, a small bank, an oil and diesel fuel distribution business, and a construction company that built levees and dug drainage channels in the lower Mississippi River basin.

By all accounts, Gwen was a pretty coed, with thoughtful hazel eyes, and a soft pleasant voice. She designed her own clothes and was well-dressed. With the charming naivete of youth, she was both vulnerable by circumstance and self assured by nature. Clarence was smitten with Gwen when first they met and never changed. She called him “Crum”. They were married November 21, 1936, and moved to his hometown in southeast Missouri. Their daughter, Ann, was born in 1942, and son, “Skipper” was born in 1945 as World War II was ending. When son, Brad, was born in 1950, they moved to Texarkana, Arkansas, near where Crum’s construction company was building a dam on the Red River. In 1952, they returned to southeast Missouri making a home first in Charleston, then Sikeston, and finally Lake Wappapello. For 40 years, they lived and worked together, reared their children, traveled, and made their way in the world until Crum’s unexpected death from a heart attack in 1976. He was 63.

Gwen is survived by her three children, Ann C. Tucker of Memphis, Tennessee, C.W. (Skip) Crumpecker of Kansas City, Missouri, and Brad R. Crumpecker of Dallas, Texas.

Mamma Gwen or “MG” as she was called by her grandchildren, is also survived by four grandchildren, Mrs. Kathy Caldwell of Memphis, Tennessee, William Hannah of Memphis, Tennessee, Christina Crumpecker, M.D., of Columbia, Missouri, Mrs. Cayce Gilhousen of Kansas City, Missouri, and two great grandchildren, Tucker Caldwell and Wesley Caldwell.

Gwen was a lifelong Methodist and believed in the power of prayer and the good deeds of angels. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and is especially remembered and loved for all of the wonderful things she did for her family.

As a young woman, she enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, singing, dancing, and playing the piano. All her life she loved animals, music, architecture, and interior decorating. She had a particular passion and talent for acquiring and refinishing antique furniture. Each of her children has beautiful pieces of furniture that she acquired and refinished which are priceless works of art.

Gwen had a natural refined manner with a warm engaging sense of humor. To her children and by example, she was a person who made you want to have good manners, appreciate things of beauty, and treat all people civilly and with kindness.

To the enjoyment of her family, she loved to decorate the home for holidays including Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She was a perfectionist. Her table settings and centerpieces were works of art as were her handmade holiday ornaments and any presents she wrapped. For her family, she made Christmas magical.

Gwen’s grandchildren remember fun summer visits to MG’s house at Lake Wappapello. In jest, she referred to herself as “the witch of Wappapello”—the good one. Like most mothers, with unconditional love, Gwen worried about her children and grandchildren, felt their joys and pains, and was proud of their accomplishments.

With gratefulness, the family kindly acknowledges the nurses and staff of Trezevant Manor, Memphis, Tennessee, and Hospice Crossroads for the love and care they gave to Gwen and her family over the last several years and the last few weeks. Skip and Brad, with heartfelt gratitude, would like to recognize and thank their sister, Ann, for the wonderful job she did in taking care of their mother in her time of need.

Funeral services will be held at 3pm, Saturday, February 9, 2013, at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, 205 N. Stoddard, St., Sikeston, Missouri. Preceding the service, visitation will begin at 2pm. Following the service, Gwen will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery next to her husband.

Immediately after the service, there will be a reception for family and friends at Jeremiah’s Restaurant& Lounge, 102 N. Kingshighway, Sikeston, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, Gwen’s favorite charities were the Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110 and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.