Sarah Crabtree (7-15-13) services 7-18-13

Sarah Mildred Browder Crabtree was born September 2, 1923, in McNairy County,  the first child of the late Grady and Ethel Emmons Browder.

She was united in marriage to Hilmer D. Crabtree on June 5, 1941, in Corinth, Miss. Mr. Crabtree preceded her in death on April 30, 1994, following 52 years of marriage. To this union was born two daughters, Patricia Ann and Sara Jane. 

Mildred accepted the Lord as her Savior at the age of 20 and was a faithful member of Clear Creek Baptist Church in the Lawton community, where she taught Sunday School and served as the Women’s Missionary Union County Director for many years. She was a Democrat, a former president of the Lawton Ruritan Club, and was the first woman to serve on the McNairy County Election Commission, a position she held for 30 years. After her children were grown, she opened a dress shop in Adamsville named Mildred’s which she operated for 30 years. She was also a great cook, and was known far and wide for her famous coconut cakes. 

Mrs. Crabtree departed this life on July 15, 2013, in Selmer,  at the age of 89 years. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Ann Smith and husband Robert and Sara Jane Norris and husband Michael; four grandchildren, Stephen Norris and wife Donna, Elizabeth Waggoner and husband Ryan, Aimee Vance and husband Larry, and Michael Norris, Jr. and wife Kristan; nine great-grandchildren, Holt Waggoner, Lacey Waggoner, Colby Jane Waggoner, Millie Norris, Rachel Proctor, Lauren Proctor, Jason Vance, Maclain Norris, and Irby Norris; a brother, Danny Neal Browder and wife Jan; a sister, Linda Katherine (Kay) Marlow; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Crabtree was preceded in death by a grandchild, Lora Lynn Smith; a great-grandchild, Christopher Paul Norris; two brothers, Gerry Ross Browder  and William Lawrence Browder; and a sister, Flora Lee (Browder) Ward. 

Services will be held on July 18, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at Clear Creek Baptist Church in Lawton, Tenn. with Chuck Castles and Randy Bynum officiating. Burial will follow in the Clear Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be July 18, 2013 from 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Clear Creek Baptist Church. 

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Crabtree may be made to the Lawton Community Center.