Mary Frances Scooter Crutsinger

Mary Frances "Scooter" (Kemp) Crutsinger, 87, left her earthly home in Aubrey, TX., February 14, 2026, to go home to the Lord and our Daddy. She was born to Mackie Fern (Price) and Charles "Charley" Henry Kemp October 23, 1938, in Tioga, TX. Over the years folks have often wondered how Scooter's nickname came about. When she was a toddler, her aunt and uncle, nicknamed Tiny and Jar, shared a two-story home with her parents. Scooter didn't walk down the stairs, she scooted so Uncle Jar called her "Scooter", and it stuck for the rest of her life.

Scooter graduated high school in 1957 and a few weeks later married the love of her life, Paul Ray Crutsinger. They began their life together in Waco, TX due to Paul's work. A few years later they moved to the Dallas area, living in Plano, Oak Cliff, and other suburbs of Dallas. In the mid '60's they purchased their first land to build a home in Southlake, TX. In 1968 the construction of DFW International Airport began and they knew they didn't want to stay in Southlake and wanted to raise their family in a rural area. Paul and Scooter found property south of Aubrey and went to the bank. The banker didn't really want to loan them any money saying the property would never have any value. Scooter has laughed about his statement over the years. She once said they wanted enough property that each of her children always had a place to come home to if they needed or choice to and she got that wish when the last two kids came home in 2005.

Scooter was a homemaker and a very good seamstress; she made her clothing and that of her daughters. While in Southlake she trained and became a licensed hairdresser. In 1975 she went to work for Denton State School in the canteen before transitioning into the beauty shop. She loved her clients and the longtime friends she made while working there till her retirement in 1999.

In January 1979, she lost the love of her life and began a new journey as a single parent at the age of 40. She had two young adults and two younger children that started the journey with her. Scooter embraced this journey and was there till she took her last breath. She has always been the encouragement, strength and light in the darkness. She gave unconditional love to each of her children no matter the situation. She showed her children how to handle moments they did not always understand. She was the shoulder to lean on for advice and support when it was needed and through tough personal journeys. All her children had to do was open the door to find shelter. She was the rock and foundation beneath their feet.

Scooter had such a warm and loving disposition and the look on her face when one of her children, grandchildren, or great-grand babies walked through the door, would make your heart flutter.

While her children were growing up, she didn't always get to be a spectator in some of their activities, but she was always with them in spirit. When her grandbabies started participating in school activities you could bet she was not going to miss cheering them on. She even became the transportation director for some of her grandsons and their friends. And she said once, what an earful she could get from conversation she heard in the cab of her pickup, she said it was like they didn't even realize she was there and she would just laugh to herself. From sporting activities to FFA events, she was there in the cold and rain, and she hated getting her hair messed up or freezing since she was so cold natured, but she did it. That is what LOVE looks like. Her most recent enjoyment was seeing her great grandson at his piano recitals.

Over the years Scooter enjoyed taking care of her yard and flowers, while raising her family she had a garden and canned and froze vegetables, she would make homemade blackberry jelly because Paul loved it so much. She even started using a zero-turn lawn mower at the age of 80. She also enjoyed traveling with her friends, Ruby and Andy. She was also a member of the Tioga Cemetery Board.

Scooter was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Ray Crutsinger; parents, Charley and Mackie Kemp; and grandson, Justin Ray Crutsinger.

She is survived by her sons, Billy Ray Crutsinger of Aubrey, TX., Timothy Paul Crutsinger of Aubrey, TX.; daughters, Sherry Crutsinger of Aubrey, TX., and Kari Shipp and husband Monty of Aubrey, TX.; brother Charles Kemp of Weatherford, TX.; grandchildren, Taylor Crutsinger of Dallas, TX., Travis and Trey Shipp of Aubrey, TX., Cassie Barwick and husband Nathon of Gainesville, TX., Amber King and husband Nathan of Aubrey, TX., Nicki Gilbert and partner Brandi Wheat of Sanger, TX.; Great grandchildren, Gracie, Conner and Levi King of Aubrey, TX, Tristan Jones of Aubrey, TX., Adeline Weaver of Aubrey, TX., and Jamieson Barwick of Gainesville, TX.; several nieces and nephews; and longtime girlfriends, Ruby Ganzer of Aubrey, TX., Jan Hayes of Sanger, TX., and Michelle Le of Denton, TX.

Visitation for Scooter will be Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Slay Memorial Funeral Center in Aubrey, TX from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Her service is Friday, February 20, 2026, at Krugerville Baptist Church at 2:00PM with Sam Redfearn officiating. Interment will follow at Indian Creek Cemetery in Tioga, TX. Pallbearers are Taylor Crutsinger, Travis and Trey Shipp, J Frank Hayes, Daniel Palomba, and Ryan Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Ganzer, Vann Bell, Dean Haught, J.T. McNabb, and Tristan Jones.