Mary Lou Crimmins

In 1933, Mary Lou was born to Albert and Minnie Sedgwick in Columbus, NE; she was the eldest of 4, followed by her brothers Darwin, Roger and Ronnie. The family also lived in Hasty, CO and Savannah, OK, where Mary Lou graduated high school as valedictorian. Soon after, she married Joe Crimmins, a dashing soldier in the US Army, and they began their new lives together in a little trailer in El Paso, TX, where Joe was stationed at the romantically named Fort Bliss army base. Having no car, once every month they would walk two miles to a roadside stand and treat themselves to delicious hamburgers, having carefully budgeted Joe’s monthly pay to afford this extravagance.

Marilyn Kathlene, their eldest daughter, was born a year and a half later. Their second daughter, Phyllis Gail, was born following their transfer to Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. Mary Lou learned how to drive stick-shift on the steep hills of San Francisco, just in time for the army to order the family back to the flat land of El Paso. As if this were not whiplash enough, Joe was soon after transferred alone to Alaska, unable to bring Mary Lou and the girls with him until he was higher in rank. As soon as he was allowed, Joe returned to El Paso and the family drove more than 3700 miles to Alaska. The adventures awaiting them included: Mary Lou singing on television with the church choir, Joe and Mary Lou flying above the Arctic Circle in a small plane, finally third daughter, Jo Beth, being born in Fort Wainwright Hospital in Fairbanks. Life moved swiftly on with a transfer to Plattsmouth, NE, where friendships grew with a young pastor and his wife, Calvin and Barbara Miller; then Hammond, WI and a new church home a 43- mile drive away, led by pastor Clifford Longino and wife Charlotte, who also became close friends.

Mary Lou and Joe exhibited Christ-like love and compassion wherever they lived, with Mary Lou always finding ways to discretely and without display assist their neighbors who were in need or bereavement. When all the daughters had reached school age, Mary Lou began work as a Nurse’s Aide at Baldwin hospital, 5 miles away. When Joe and the girls went to eat at the Dairy Queen in Baldwin, they always waved at the building and called out, “Hi Mama!” One day the army told Joe he would be transferred to Russia- without his family. So with 20+ army years under his belt he decided to retire and the family relocated to OK to be nearer to their parents.

Mary Lou attended OKC Vocational School to become an LVN. She nursed at a private medical practice, Edmond Hospital, and the Mercy Hospital cancer ward in OKC. Then, Mary Lou embarked on yet another new venture by earning her BA in Communications from Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma), during which she discovered and began developing her prodigious talents as an actress. She played the pivotal role of the housekeeper in the University’s production of “The Runner Stumbles”, which earned her the Irene Ryan Award in Dallas, TX. She then starred as Ethel Thayer in “On Golden Pond” (and in her family’s opinion, she outdid Katherine Hepburn, who played the same role in the 1981 movie). She went on to perform in many plays and musicals in regional theater, including starring as Fonsia in a 1984 Stage Center (OKC) production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “The Gin Game”. Always active in her church, she wrote monologues of the lives of the female missionaries and enacted them in costume across the state for church women’s groups. She also served with international students at the university, helping them with English skills, cultural adjustments and other vital needs, such as rides to and from work for those who had no means of transportation.

Then arrival of MS shut down all these activities and narrowed the scope of her world. While she would ultimately outlive the progression of the disease and see the return of some of her former energy, the effects of MS would not be reversed. Following a second career in government service, Joe retired once again and the two of them settled in Midland near Phyllis and her family.  

In the summer of 2008 they took up residence at Polo Park Estates, where Mary Lou soon was cherished for her friendliness, broad, sunny smile and beautiful, silvery singing voice. For many years, her special contribution to the community was singing Irish songs for the residents.

Mary Lou’s beloved Joe preceded her in death and although today we temporarily grieve their absence, we also rejoice that now they are reunited, healthy and whole in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary Lou is survived by Marilyn & Lt Col David Ledin (Gilbert, AZ), Phyllis & Rev Gene Hilburn (Midland), Jo Beth & Johannes Pfannkuch (Maplewood, NJ), grandchildren Emily & David Waldrop, Ashley Hilburn, Katheryn Hilburn, Michael Hilburn, Brian & Rene Ledin, Amy Ledin, great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Halley, Lilley, David, Liara, Vyctoria, Audrey, Evelyn and Kazumy.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Ganta and staff, Hospice of Midland, Absolute Adult Sitters, Staff of Polo Park Estates and Stacy Evans.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the MS Society, Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc., or the charity of your choice.

Service will be live streamed at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory.

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