Brenda Marie Crabtree

It is with great sadness that the family of Brenda Marie (Shockley) Crabtree, "Ninny" announces her passing after a long illness, on Sunday, September 13, 2020, at the age of 68 years. She was born September 8, 1952, to Milford “Cotton” Edward Shockley and Mildred Marie (Duncan) Shockley, at Deer Creek in Osage County, MO. She attended schools in Chamois, Republic, Waco and Carl Junction, MO. Brenda graduated in 1978 from the Neosho Community College Licensed Practical Nursing program in Chanute KS. She first married Robert Sullivan on February 26, 1969. The union of this marriage resulted in two children, Brian Shaun (b. 9/13/1969 d.11/6/1971) and Angela LeAnn. After several years of raising Angela alone, she met Bobby Crabtree while working at the Quapaw Express. They were married on March 26, 1983 at Claude and Vicki Brigg’s (Bobby’s sister) house in Miami. The union of this marriage resulted in two children, Brandi Ann and Amanda Jo. She is survived by her husband Bobby, who put up with her sassy ways (and that is putting it politically correct) for 37 years; three girls, Angela Herd and Keith, of Miami, OK, Brandi Crabtree and Ray, of Quapaw, OK, Amanda Crabtree and Scott, of Baxter Springs. She was lovingly known as 'Ninny' to her 7 grandchildren, with 1 expected in October and 4 great-grandchildren. Samantha Cook of Centerton, Jonathan Herd of Miami, Emily, Wyatt and Carter Grassold, all of Quapaw, Oliva and Henry Hughes both of Baxter Springs. Great-grandchildren are Addison Beebe, Jackson Herd, Karson Herd and Ramsey Bailey. We list these children in order of age and not by favorite. She also leaves behind three sisters, Kay Shockley of Columbia Falls, Montana, Sherrie Shatwell of Skiatook, OK, Pam Pruitt of Baxter Springs, KS, and a brother, Milford (Skip) E. Shockley Jr. of Raytown, MO; They are also listed in order of age and not by favorite. We list Chris Cook as a family member but, we are not sure what to call him, because the names for him often changed throughout the years, however she always thought of him as a son. Brenda enjoyed summers at her Grandma Shockley’s house where she spent time playing with her many cousins. There are too many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins to mention, but just know each held a special place in her heart. As a young woman, Brenda loved to go “up home” to Chamois, Mo. for visits and family gatherings where she had a lot of fun. Perhaps too much fun at times. Brenda was known for her strong work ethic, her love for her family, and her ability to say exactly what she thought, whether you wanted to hear it or not. She held back no words and was very quick witted. No matter what, you always knew where you stood with her, she was quick to love and forgive, yet, never forgot anything. Brenda worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse most of her life, other than a short time working at the Quapaw Express. She worked in Long Term Care as a charge nurse then later an Assistant Director of Nursing for nine and a half years. Brenda was a Procare instructor for the nurse aide training program from 1989 thru 2001. She was a Quality Assurance Supervisor and Infection Control Coordinator as well. Throughout Brenda’s career she mentored many new nurse’s including her own daughter, Angie. In 1994, Brenda implemented a monthly Physician rounds sheet that was utilized at other local facilities as well. In 2001, Brenda began travel nursing, with her first contract being in Connecticut while the staff nurses were on strike. She worked in several states as a travel nurse with her most special memories being in New Mexico, where she was a contract nurse at several VA homes. Brenda also had many friends that she had made throughout the years as a travel nurse, researching family history and working as a nurse locally that all held a special place in her heart too. We would like to thank her nursing friends Robin Milam, Rhonda Lucas, Jill Langlois, and Lisa Baker. Special thanks to our neighbors on Virginia Street- Dave and Twyla, Dick and Roxanne, Mike and Sandi, Ron and Mary for their kindness. Thank you to Good Shepard Hospice and Geoff Buffalo for being so wonderful to her the last few days of her life with us. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Mattingly and Milford Shockley; and her son, Brian Shaun Sullivan. In 1971, Brian Shaun was only 2 years old when he was taken from us in a tragic car accident. We will always believe that Brenda somehow planned the timing of her passing (she was such a planner) so that she could be reunited with Brian on his birthday (9/13) because she had waited 48 long years to hold her baby boy once again in her arms. We will eternally miss our "Ninny" because she was the glue that held our family together and will always remain in our hearts. We are at peace knowing she is now busy tracking down all the loved ones that she had spent so many years researching in genealogy, so she can finally put the names and faces together. She leaves behind a legacy that is irreplaceable to her loved ones. For her family and friends, there is only one “Brenda” and “Ninny”. She loved her husband Bobby, girls, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all that she was. Brenda knew how to have fun, how to scold, but most of all how to show us unconditional love. But she forgot one thing, to teach us how to live without her. We’d like to post a disclaimer that if mom somehow doesn’t like her obituary, we wrote for her then mom, you probably should have told us where you put the pre-written obituary you wrote years ago when you were so worried Angie would screw it all up. Mom pre-wrote her own obituary years ago because when mom was researching genealogy, she learned how important someone’s obituary was. So, hopefully we did this the way she wanted it, or we maybe we have it all screwed up who knows. Either way we will always love and miss her. Love Always, Angie, Brandi and Amanda