Mary “Bernice’’ Crabtree, 97, of Lebanon, died Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, in Lebanon.
She was born Dec. 20, 1922, in Manes, Mo. to Clarence William Barton and Dora Crisp Barton.
On Aug. 12, 1940, she married Delmer Wade and on Sept. 3, 2000, to James Crabtree.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Delmer Verl Wade and James Crabtree.
After graduating from high school in 1938, at the age of 16, Bernice also obtained a teaching certificate. She was a devoted homemaker, always tending to the needs of her family first. She also helped with the daily tasks of the farm.
Bernice was a longtime, active and faithful member of Embree Community Church. When she was 15, she was asked to carve the cornerstone of the church. She was very proud that she was given such an honor.
She is survived by one son, Jerry Wade and his wife Twila of Wahoo, Neb.; three daughters, Lola Massey and her husband Don of Lynchburg; Connie Lubina of Lebanon; and Teresa Clark and her husband Danny, also of Lebanon; a stepson, J.R. Crabtree and his wife Ronda of Willard; siblings, Mildred Hirrlinger of Clarence, Mo.; Bill Barton and his wife Dot of Baltimore, Md.; Floyd Barton and his wife Evelyn of Versalia, Calif. and Lloyd Barton and his wife Helen of Falcon; 10 grandchildren, Yvonne Schafer and her husband Michael, John Wade and his wife Debi, Jerry Wade, Jr. and his wife Marlene and Deanne Rasmussen and her husband Jerry, all of Prague, Neb.; Sonya Hall and her husband Jeff of Lynchburg; Sheila Peters and her husband Chris of Campbell, Mo.; Tina Phillips and her husband Gerry of Osage Beach; Traci Williams-Vinson and her husband Dave of Camdenton; Tyler Clark of Lebanon; and Tim Clark of Springfield; 22 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; several step-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Mary “Bernice’’ Crabtree will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel with Wade Perryman and Eddie Williamson officiating. Burial will be in Dutch Chapel Cemetery, under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Visitation will be held from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Friday, also at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel. To sign the guestbook online, please visit shadelscolonialchapel.com. Under the guidelines of the CDC and the state of Missouri, the staff of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel ask that you observe social distancing and proper hygiene. The family of Bernice Crabtree ask that those in attendance for the visitation and service please wear masks, not only for their protection but for the protection of everyone. Those guidelines will be monitored during this time to accommodate the family and their wishes. Memorials have been suggested to Dutch Chapel Cemetery. Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948 or 1001 N. Lynn, Lebanon, Mo. 65536.
