Geraldine O. Crisp

Geraldine O. "Gerri" Crisp, age 90, of Conway, Ark., died peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. She was born Aug. 16, 1920, to Otis and Gertrude Lau in Fort Smith, Ark. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Robert M. "Bob" Crisp Sr.; son in law, Paul M. Williams; her parents and two sisters. She is survived by a son, Robert M. Crisp Jr. and wife, Connie of Fayetteville; daughter, Nancy Williams of Conway; five granddaughters, Catherine Crisp (Kaye) of Little Rock, Robyn Marren (Brian) of Chicago, Ill., Melissa Williams John (David) of Little Rock, Rachel Henderson (Dan) of Boston, Mass., and Traci Kennedy Smith (Josh) of Conway; and nine great-grandchildren, Haley, Will, Porter, Elizabeth, Jett, Parker, Kennedy, Jack and Normandie. Gerri was a member of First United Methodist Church and the George Hartje Sunday School Class, Chapter E, PEO , the Twentieth Century Club, Conway Quilters and the Newcomers Club of Conway. She served as a volunteer at Conway Regional Hospital for many years and referred to herself as the "coffee lady". She learned to sew at the age of ten, and it became a lifetime achievement for her. She enjoyed sewing not only for herself but for her daughter and granddaughters. In later years she enjoyed needlework and learned to quilt, which became her beloved hobby. Her custom quilt "The Heart of a Woman" hangs in the Women's Center of Conway Regional Hospital. Gerri loved to cook and enjoyed nothing more than to invite ten people for dinner and cook enough for thirty! She was an avid collector and loved to go to flea markets and antique shops with friends and also enjoyed playing Bridge. After retirement, she and her husband crisscrossed the country in their motor home. She loved dogs and cats and most any animal in general. Feeding the birds and squirrels in her back yard brought her great joy. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Tuesday, Sept. 7th, 2010, at First United Methodist Church of Conway at 11 a.m., with the Reverend Charles Murry, Reverend Regina Gideon and Reverend William Hester officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Food Pantry at First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince Street, Conway, Ark. 72034. The family wants to send a special and heart felt thanks to her loving caregivers, Sue and Chuck and to Rebecca, Carrie, Brandy and Pat and to Hospice Home Care; also to her special little friend for the past year, Molly, who lovingly and patiently sat in her lap and gave her great comfort. Arrangements are by Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Conway. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.