Kay Jean Crawley

1939 - 2021

KAY JEAN CRAWLEY

The family and friends of Kay Jean Crawley are sad to give news of her passing to the Lord Jesus Christ on December 28, 2021. She was 82 years of age and a resident of Tempe, Arizona.

Kay was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1939, to parents Claire and Helen Coffman in Berwyn, Custer County, Nebraska. She attended school throughout her young years in Broken Bow and graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1957. She was very active in her high school activities and was a cheerleader for the Broken Bow "Indians". Kay was married after high school to Jim Smets, and moved to Kearney, Nebraska, where their two children, Julie and Timothy, were born. Sadly, Julie passed away at an early age.

In time, the couple moved with their son, Tim, to Phoenix, Arizona, where Jim was employed as an engineer, and eventually found their way to Flagstaff when Jim was offered work as an engineer at Holmquist & Associates. Kay served as a secretary with the Coconino County Attorney's Office. Later, she was employed as a receptionist/secretary with Crawley Bros. Real Estate. While living in Flagstaff, daughter Torri and son Toby were both born. She enjoyed playing bridge as well as being involved with Beta Sigma Phi social sorority. In addition, she enjoyed outdoor activities, particularly her time with her children at Lake Powell.

In 1972, Kay moved to the Phoenix area. Later, she was employed as a receptionist/secretary for Bud Crawley Real Estate as well as Bud Crawley School of Real Estate, which they co-owned and operated. She married Bud in 1973 and shared 39 wonderful years together that included the birth of their son Jason. Both Kay and Bud were devout Christians and regularly attended Grace Community Church in Tempe. They enjoyed travel to Greece and, later, Israel where they studied early Christian history. They enjoyed their travels to Europe, Hawaii, and especially Mexico. They built a beautiful home overlooking the Sea of Cortez in Cholla Bay, Sonora, Mexico. She also loved her Tempe home and boating at the Lakes. Kay and Bud loved watching sports together including the Suns, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals as well as ASU football. Tragically, Bud lost his life in an automobile accident in October of 2013.

Kay continued with her friendships, including those within her church. Her primary focus throughout her life was spreading the word of Christ. Kay went to her Lord Jesus Christ following a fall in her beloved home. Throughout the period of her passing, all of her children, most of her grandchildren, her brother, close friends and Christian ministers visited and were with her for comfort. Her friends and family found her to be soft spoken, beautiful and a wonderful lady. She was and is truly an angel of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the time of her passing she had resided in Arizona for 60 years.

Kay is survived by her sister Yvonne Smith, brother Gene Coffman (Jeannie), and her children: Timothy "Tim" Smets, Torri Luyet, Tobias "Toby" Smets (Carolyn), Jason Crawley (Missy), and her wonderful step-daughters Deidre Crawley (Jim) and Kirsten Crawley. She also leaves behind grandchildren: Chelsea Plesh (Michael), Logan Krabbe (Colin), Tyler Kinney (Amanda), Jacob "Jake" Smets, Anthony Smets, Austin Smets, Jesse Crawley, and Kaden Crawley. Kay is also survived by great-grandchildren: Riley Krabbe, Jackson Krabbe, Zoey Plesh, and Blaire Kinney, as well as many nephews and nieces. Also to be mentioned is her beloved pet Bailey, her sweet companion; as well as her dearest friends: Miriam "Mim" Bush, her loyal caregiver, Michael Flournoy, and Cyndi Sullivan (Brad).

Going to the Lord Jesus Christ before Kay was her beloved daughter Julie Smets, her parents Claire and Helen Coffman, grandparents Ora Claire and Maggie Coffman, and Charles and Francis Price, as well as her great-grandmother Sarah J. Price.

A celebration of life has been planned for Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at Grace Community Church, located at 1200 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282. A reception at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts can be made to Grace Community Church (as above), Hospice of the Valley, located at 1188 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler, AZ 85224, or the church or charity of your choice in Kay's name.