Ernestine Crabtree

Jessie “Ernestine” Crabtree, 83, of Mulberry, passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2010 in Mulberry, Arkansas. Ernestine was born in Dardanelle, Arkansas in 1927 to Jessie James and Lula Jane Vaughn and was the youngest girl in a family of 9 - 4brothers and 5 sisters. Despite a childhood that lacked many comforts and necessities, Ernestine and her siblings shared a deep bond and she loved to tell stories about growing up in the country. Her brothers and sisters called her “Teen” and they always managed to have a good time – whether working on the farm or making a special trip into town. They all remained very close throughout their lives. Ernestine met Ermon Henry Crabtree after her family moved to Mulberry when she was a teenager. They married in 1946 when she was 19 and he was 26. They had two children, Larry and Sheila, and they built their lives in Mulberry, raising a family with it’s foundation in small-town values – honesty and loyalty, generosity, and love for their family, neighbors and church. They had been married 60 years when Ermon passed away in 2006 and their marriage was a testament to their love and respect for each other. As Ermon and Ernestine grew older, they were surrounded by grand-children, and then great-grand children, who adored them both. Ernestine was “Meme” to her four grand-children – who all thought she was the most wonderful woman in the world and would have gladly gone to live with her. She was “Oowee” to her seven great grand-children (as in – “Ooowee that tastes good!” – one of many favorite sayings). Ernestine was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mulberry for 61 years. She and Ermon served as the church caretakers until age and health forced them to retire after almost 50 years. She enjoyed singing in the choir and going to Sunday School, and she especially loved working in the nursery where she was called “Miss Ernestine”. She loved to sew and work in her yard and could be seen year-round picking up leaves by hand. She mowed her own grass after Ermon passed away, a fact she was very proud of, and would often tell people. She loved to go to Wal-Mart and would greet friends and strangers alike – often with a hug. And she was a great hugger! She always had a smile that will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 5, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Mulberry under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home with the burial to follow at the New Cemetery in Mulberry. Ernestine is survived by her daughter, Sheila Roper of Fort Smith, her daughter-in-law, Sue Crabtree of Roland, her brother, Billy Vaughn and his wife Coreida of Rison, AR, three grandsons, Paul Roper and his wife Davina of Fort Smith, Clay Roper and his wife Tammy of Fort Smith, Jacob Crabtree of Brighton, CO, and one granddaughter, Autumn Minnick and her husband Mark of Fort Smith, and 7 great grandchildren – Sam Lewis Roper, Alex Clayton Roper, Chauntel Marie Terry, Dachelle Christine Terry, Colton Crabtree, Jack Henry Minnick, Jess Elizabeth Minnick, and two special cats, Peanut and Festus. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ermon Henry Crabtree, her son Larry Crabtree, and her siblings Elizabeth Flurry, Mary Alcorn, Anna Osborn, Joyce Townsel, Lloyd Vaughn, Buddy Vaughn, and Lamar Vaughn. Pallbearers will be Jim Hamilton, David Marvin, Jeff Marvin, Jimmy Moore, Fred Moon, and Ray Jackson. The family will receive visitors on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at Shaffer Funeral Home in Ozark, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children’s Emergency Shelter or the First Baptist Church of Mulberry.

Ernestine Crabtree

January 1, 1753 - February 1, 2010