Fannie Crum Obituary
Visit the Keeney & Basford Funeral Homes, P.A. website to view the full obituary.
Fannie Ray Crum, 92, known affectionally as "Dolly" by her friends and family, went on to meet her God on Friday October 10 at her residence at Homewood in Frederick, Maryland.
Born on May 3, 1933, the daughter of Gordon Maurice White and Naomi (Pearson) White. She grew up on West Patrick St. in Frederick, Maryland, where she lived two doors away from her lifelong best friend Marilyn Crum, later Marilyn Castle. In 1950, Dolly married Marilyn's older brother Paul L. Crum, Jr. who preceded her in death on March 21, 2015. Paul had been a gunner on an Army Airforce bomber in World War II, during which he flew on 49 bombing missions for which he received numerous awards for valor.
Her family life began with the birth of her children John, Eric, and Holly. Once her children reached school age, she started working in the medical offices of Dr. Robert Hughes, where she continued working for over 30 years until Dr. Hughes retired from his practice.
Throughout her life, Dolly devoted herself to her family, her faith and helping her community. While she was a lifelong member of the Church of God, in her later years she regularly attended services at the Church of the Brethren. She also did her best to share her faith and improve the lives of others in the community.
In 1959, Church Women United members began a migrant ministry project to help seasonal workers who came to work in Frederick County each year. They had found that many of the workers could not read and decided that they would attempt to tackle the problem of illiteracy among these workers. She served as the first president of this organization, which went on to have a profound impact on Frederick County. As of 2023, this organization had instructed over 9,250 Frederick County residents in reading, speaking English, and everyday life skills.
In 1976, Dolly who was then the chairman of Ecumenical Development for Church Women United (CWU), was chosen as a representative of CWU for a program called Eastern European Causeway. This involved traveling to Eastern European countries that were then behind the "Iron Curtain" including Poland, Yugoslavia, and East Germany. The purpose was to spread her faith and give hope to those under communist rule. This was one of the greatest experiences of her life in that it affirmed the viability of her faith in Christianity and its universal appeal even under the harshest conditions.
In 1980, working with Church Women United and now retired oncologist Dr. P. Gregory Raush, Dolly was part of a small group of volunteers who helped establish the laws for hospice programs and set up the Frederick County's first hospice program, which was incorporated under the name of "Hospice of Frederick County." This hospice program went on to assist countless Frederick County residents facing the difficulties and challenges associated with the end of life. The family is particularly thankful for her work in this regard in that the hospice program she helped establish provided kind and compassionate end of life care for her, and caring support for her family.
She is survived by her son John and his wife Joan of Rockville, her son Eric of Frederick, and her daughter Holly Lee and her husband Clark of Frederick. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Cullen (Kara), Courtney, Brittany (Brandon), Lauren (Carlos), Jordyn (Ian), and Hallie (Brandon); and eight great-grandchildren: Cullen II, Reagan, Brantley, Emmerson, Miabella, Alianna, Leo, and Adaline. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Marilyn Castle and Betty White, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her brother Gordon Maurice White, Jr. in 1996.
A funeral service will be held on Oct. 25 at 11:00 am at Frederick Church of the Brethren, located at 201 Fairview Avenue, Frederick, MD. She will be interred at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with her late husband Paul.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of her favorite charities - Life Outreach International or Feed the Children, Ft. Worth, TX
Born on May 3, 1933, the daughter of Gordon Maurice White and Naomi (Pearson) White. She grew up on West Patrick St. in Frederick, Maryland, where she lived two doors away from her lifelong best friend Marilyn Crum, later Marilyn Castle. In 1950, Dolly married Marilyn's older brother Paul L. Crum, Jr. who preceded her in death on March 21, 2015. Paul had been a gunner on an Army Airforce bomber in World War II, during which he flew on 49 bombing missions for which he received numerous awards for valor.
Her family life began with the birth of her children John, Eric, and Holly. Once her children reached school age, she started working in the medical offices of Dr. Robert Hughes, where she continued working for over 30 years until Dr. Hughes retired from his practice.
Throughout her life, Dolly devoted herself to her family, her faith and helping her community. While she was a lifelong member of the Church of God, in her later years she regularly attended services at the Church of the Brethren. She also did her best to share her faith and improve the lives of others in the community.
In 1959, Church Women United members began a migrant ministry project to help seasonal workers who came to work in Frederick County each year. They had found that many of the workers could not read and decided that they would attempt to tackle the problem of illiteracy among these workers. She served as the first president of this organization, which went on to have a profound impact on Frederick County. As of 2023, this organization had instructed over 9,250 Frederick County residents in reading, speaking English, and everyday life skills.
In 1976, Dolly who was then the chairman of Ecumenical Development for Church Women United (CWU), was chosen as a representative of CWU for a program called Eastern European Causeway. This involved traveling to Eastern European countries that were then behind the "Iron Curtain" including Poland, Yugoslavia, and East Germany. The purpose was to spread her faith and give hope to those under communist rule. This was one of the greatest experiences of her life in that it affirmed the viability of her faith in Christianity and its universal appeal even under the harshest conditions.
In 1980, working with Church Women United and now retired oncologist Dr. P. Gregory Raush, Dolly was part of a small group of volunteers who helped establish the laws for hospice programs and set up the Frederick County's first hospice program, which was incorporated under the name of "Hospice of Frederick County." This hospice program went on to assist countless Frederick County residents facing the difficulties and challenges associated with the end of life. The family is particularly thankful for her work in this regard in that the hospice program she helped establish provided kind and compassionate end of life care for her, and caring support for her family.
She is survived by her son John and his wife Joan of Rockville, her son Eric of Frederick, and her daughter Holly Lee and her husband Clark of Frederick. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Cullen (Kara), Courtney, Brittany (Brandon), Lauren (Carlos), Jordyn (Ian), and Hallie (Brandon); and eight great-grandchildren: Cullen II, Reagan, Brantley, Emmerson, Miabella, Alianna, Leo, and Adaline. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Marilyn Castle and Betty White, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her brother Gordon Maurice White, Jr. in 1996.
A funeral service will be held on Oct. 25 at 11:00 am at Frederick Church of the Brethren, located at 201 Fairview Avenue, Frederick, MD. She will be interred at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with her late husband Paul.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of her favorite charities - Life Outreach International or Feed the Children, Ft. Worth, TX
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Keeney & Basford Funeral Homes, P.A.
106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701
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