Violet "Vi" Marie (Mcmillin) Crabtree

Violet “Vi” Marie (McMillin) Crabtree

Violet “Vi” Marie (McMillin) Crabtree passed away on Friday, March 25th, 2022, at the age of 89. She was born on August 13, 1932, in Brownington, Missouri. Violet was the daughter of James William and Lillie May (Taylor) McMillin. At the age of sixteen, Violet graduated from Deepwater High School, and she then moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she lived until her death.

On June 1st, 1956, Violet married her lifelong friend and the love of her life, Kenneth F. Crabtree. After the birth of their first daughter in 1961, Violet retired from her work position at BMA Insurance Company. She then dedicated her life to raising their two daughters and taking care of their home.

While her daughters were in school, Violet was very active in the PTA and the Girl Scouts, as well as participating with all of the many extracurricular activities of her daughters. Violet also truly enjoyed bowling during this time in her life, winning many awards from the Strike ‘N Spare bowling leagues.

After their daughters were grown, Violet and Ken spent many years together during Ken’s retirement traveling the country in their RV and doing genealogy research on their family histories. Out of this genealogy interest, Violet became a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, holding many leadership positions with the Independence Pioneers Chapter NSDAR and the Missouri State Association DAR.

Violet was very proud of her accomplishments as a NAP Registered Parliamentarian. She enjoyed working for many businesses and organizations as parliamentarian and held many offices with the MSAP State Association of Parliamentarians and with the Missouri Past Presidents and Registered Parliamentarians Unit.

Violet held memberships with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Beverly Shelton Girls Town Club. Serving her community was a priority for Violet. She also enjoyed reading, sewing, crocheting, gardening, camping, and most of all loved spending time with all of her family. She was especially proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Violet was a long-time member of the congregation of Norfleet Baptist Church. She held many positions of leadership within the church community during her life-long service there. Her faith was a guiding principle in her life.

Violet was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 56 years, Kenneth Crabtree, who died in 2012; her parents, James William and Lillie May McMillin; and her six brothers: Raymond Lee Sr., Willard, John, William (Bill), James (Jim), and Arvel McMillin; and also, an infant brother and sister.
She is survived by her daughters: Andrea (Rusty) Lewis and Linda Crabtree; grandchildren: Ryan (Arielle) Lewis and Ashley (Dominic) Avila; great-grandchildren: Jane Violet Lewis, Isla Kate Lewis, and a baby boy Lewis arriving this summer; two sisters-in-law: Evelyn McMillin and Dolores McMillin; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

A visitation for Violet will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO 64055, followed by a funeral service starting at 10:00 a.m. A private family burial will be held in Maplewood Cemetery in Brownington, Missouri.