Lorean C. Crockett, age 96, died July 23 on Bainbridge Island.

She was born Nov. 6, 1905 near Odessa, Mo. to Marvin and Lucy (Alkire) Cheatham.

Growing up in Corder, Mo., she began her teaching career at age 19 in one-room school houses, often boarding with a local farm family.

She finished her degree in 1937 at Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Mo., and taught school for 25 years, before her marriage and after raising her children.

In 1939, she married the Rev. Duncan Crockett and helped with the needs of the churches they served. She also enjoyed tatting, crocheting and quilting. She loved to cook and was featured in a food column in the Kansas City Star.

The Crocketts served the Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Kansas City for 28 years. On retiring in 1979 to Kimberling City, Mo., they continued to be active in the Southwest Missouri community, where she volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at the local nursing home.

The couple moved to Silverdale in 1997 to be near family.

She was preceded in death by her husband in April 2001. She is survived by two daughters, Joyce (David) Veterane of Bainbridge Island; Marilee (Dan) Kirkbride of Louisville, Ky.; grandchildren Kathy (Robert Bates) Veterane of Bellingham, Susan (Greg) Veterane-Todd of Edmonds, Andrew Veterane of Kirkland, Danielle (Tim) Doelling of Louisville, Ky., and Jonathon Kirkbride of Louisville, Ky.; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. Funeral services are today in Corder, Mo.

Remembrances may be made to Church of Mary Magdalene, Ecumenical Ministry with Homeless Women, P.O. Box 359 Seattle, WA 98111, or other charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, in cooperation with Hoefer Funeral Home, Higginsville, Mo.