Mabel Louise Cramer

1919 - 2007

Mabel Louise Cramer December 3, 1919 - August 29, 2007 Mabel Louise Bibb was born December 3, 1919 in Redland, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma to Charles Moses and Fannie Jane (Johnson) Bibb. She passed away August 29, 2007 after a lengthy illness. Mabel taught school for 51 years. She began her teaching career in 1941 at little school in Vian Bottom, Oklahoma. She came to California in 1949 to teach for the Arvin Union School District. This is where she met the love of her life and fellow teacher, Louis Cramer. They were married on October 10, 1953. Mabel retired in 1980 with plans to spend time with her husband. Sadly, he passed away a month later. Mabel then returned to teaching for the Lamont School District for another 12 years, finally retiring in 1992. But, she continued to substitute teach until she was 75 years old. She won many awards and accolades and was voted Best Teacher for several years. Mabel served her fellow teachers as President of the Arvin Teachers Association and was state representative to CTA. She was also honored in the Who's Who's among American Educators. Mabel would have been rich if she had not been so generous. Not only did this generosity extend to her family but also to the community. She was known to buy school clothes and supplies for needy students. Mabel was a phenomenal mother, the best grandma in the world, a loving sister, mentor and friend to many people. She always had a smile or a joke or a cup of coffee or a shoulder to cry on. She never turned away a visitor no matter how tired she might have been. Her passing has left a void in all our lives but her indomitable spirit lives on in our hearts. Mabel is survived by her daughter, Susan Cramer-Bass and husband, Carl; son, Billy Gunter; grandchildren; Katrina Cramer, Sydny, Toni and Jessi Bass, Jeremy Jill Hayes, Jeff Gunter, Jeremy and Corbin Gunter; great- grandchildren, Carson and Jonathon Gunter and Jade Hayes; sisters, Joann Starkey and husband, Perry, Phyllis Sanchez and husband, Robert, Carol Harvell and husband, Doug; brother, Donald Bibb and wife, Mary; loyal and longtime friend, Jeanne Duke; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mabel was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Cramer, 1980; stepson, Robert Cramer; parents, Fanny and Charlie Bibb; 4 brothers, Jerry, Jack, Kepner, and Leonard Bibb; and 1 sister, Betty Holcomb; as well as her dear and very close friends, Clara Koetter and George Duke. The family would like to thank the staff at Lifehouse Parkview, especially Lenore and Ivy, for the kind and dignified treatment of Mabel; Desiree and Lara of Hoffmann Hospice for their caring and compassion and love just not for Mabel but also for the family – you have been invaluable the past three months; Pastor Wanda Mello for her visits and spiritual support; and the Senior Sounds for their weekly entertainment and visits that meant so much to mom. A funeral service will be conducted by Arvin Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m., at the Arvin Congregation Church. Pastor Wanda Mello will officiate the service and interment will follow at South Kern Cemetery District, Arvin. Visitation will be held Sunday, September 2 and Monday, September 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Please sign Mabel's guest book at www.GoldenValleyMemorialCare.com Arvin Funeral Home