Born Mary Margaret Braddock, June 23, 1931, in Hutchinson County, Texas near the town of Phillips, to Sophie and Everett Braddock, Mary gained her nickname of “Sugar” early in life and it continued to define her personality for 93 years. More recently, however, her favorite name was GiGi, in honor of her status as a great grandmother. She was a devoted mother of five. They blessed her with ten grandchildren whom she loved fiercely, inspiring each to be strong, independent, loving, and true to their values. The grandchildren, in turn, blessed her with twenty great grandchildren, with number 21 on the way soon.
As her father’s jobs took the family to different towns, Mary graduated high school in Hobbs, New Mexico in 1948, but returned to Texas to attend nursing school in Amarillo. She graduated from St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in 1951.
She married the love of her life, M. Don Crow in 1952. They enjoyed almost forty years of marriage before his passing in 1992. Her nursing career spanned 42 years in various fields including as a traveling nurse, a school nurse at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, in pediatric offices, at Kilgore Children’s Hospital in Amarillo, and more than fifteen years at Northwest Texas Hospital, also in Amarillo.
Mary had a passion for community service, including delivering Meals on Wheels and serving on the board of directors for Amarillo Senior Citizens Association (ASCA). She planned and hosted bus tours for seniors to destinations as close as Lubbock and as far away as Niagara Falls.
She was a natural caregiver and was always there for anyone in need and would have happily continued nursing until the end of her life. Her purpose in life was to lift others up, whatever that meant, and inspired everyone around her to do the same.
Sugar loved to dance. If music was playing, chances are, at the very least, her toes were tapping. She decorated and assisted with dances at ASCA, giving her the perfect excuse to dress up and dance.
As an adventurous traveler, Mary enjoying visiting her kids, grands, and great grands, even as far away as Southeast Asia. She loved road trips, cabins in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, Hawaii, cruises, beaches, museums, places of historical significance, theater, and traveling with family members.
She had a broad sense of humor, easily laughing at little-boy humor and at inside jokes she shared with her adult kids and grands. Every member of her family and a huge group of friends can attest to her glee at winning at cards. She could play a winning card with the sweetest smile and an innocent protest that she “just drew it.” She would then delight in her opponents’ defeat – all while making it feel painless for her victims.
Mary lived her life and passed into the arms of her Savior with an incomparable grace. In the words of her granddaughter-in-law, Tana, “…she lived so fully that she gave us the gift of knowing she will always be present. We love you to the moon and back GG. Thank you for the example of a life well lived and well loved. I hope you are dressed in pink and pearls, and dancing to Glenn Miller. We will make certain there’s pumpkin bread.”
We hope you will join us dressed in pink and pearls to celebrate Mary-Sugar-Mom-Grandma-GiGi on the morning of Thursday August 29, 2024, at 10:30 at Freedom Fellowship Church Canyon, 55 Hunsley Road, Canyon, Texas 79015.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her much-loved husband, M. Don Crow, her sister Patsy Debbrecht, her brother Jimmy Brad dock, and two sons-in-law, Mike Whitley of Odessa, and Kenny Paul Smith of Amarillo.
She is survived by her five children Mike Crow and wife Katie who live in Southeast Asia, Anne Whitley who lives in Odessa, Steve Crow and wife Barbara who live in Amarillo, Donna Smith who lives in Amarillo, and Gary Crow and wife Melinda who live in Whitney, Texas; ten grandchildren, Chris Crow (Yekti), Brian Crow (Meera), Kevin Crow (Leonie Lampe), Colin Crow (Anna), Shawn Whitley (Jill), Stephanie Wilson (Michael), Shelby Whitley (Tela), Sarah Wrotten (Tomas), Kellen Smith (Tana) and Alyssa Crow (Juan Benavides); and 20 great grandchildren: Jai and Ori Crow, Korbinian
Crow, Ivy, Arrow, Hugo, and Sage Crow, Addy, Ava, and Emmett Whitley, Taylor Newton, Abigail and Eleanor Wilson, Hannah and Kynden Whitley, Saylor and Maryn Wrotten, and Averey, Kysen, and Ansen Smith.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Acts Community Amarillo or a favorite charity.
I only got to know Mary the last few years but enjoyed her immensely and would tell her I aspired to live like her, she was fun and will be so missed at bridge 💐❤️💐
I did not personally know this remarkable lady. However, this is so very well written that I feel as if I do know her. My husband and I extend our sympathy to her family and especially our friends Gary and Melinda. Michael and Diane Ward
Thank you for being an angel on earth GiGi. You inspired and will always be admired. Eternal love and hugs.
We could look far and wide and never find a more precious, loving soul than Sugar Crow! She was always a refreshing encounter whenever I had the privilege to see her. Thank you, Sugar, for your wonderful life and my prayers are with your beautiful family for comfort in their loss. God Bless!
Ronnie and I were part of Mary’s tour group to NYC and Niagara Falls, Fall 2019. It was the most fabulous trip we’ve ever been on. I did not know Mary until someone told us about the trip. I went inside ASCA for the first time to make sure we could get on the tour list. I went inside the office door and a beautiful, grey haired woman was sitting at the front desk. We hit it off immediately and visited an hour! Before I left I told her how much fun I had talking with her and asked if she was going on the tour also. She said “Honey, I’m your tour guide!” Much Love, Debby and Ronnie Moler
Always a smile
Beautiful lady with her smile and grace. Glad I got to know her through Amarillo Singles Dance club. She will be missed. Prayers to her childrens and their families.
Janne Lawrence
Anne, I was so sorry to hear about your mother. She was always such a big help with my mother (Grandmother Crow), and when any of u needed her. And, she was such a delight to be around.
Such a delightful person will live forever in our memories.
Aunt Mary
Dear Mike, Katie, Anne, Steve, Barb, Donna, Gary, Melinda and all your beautiful children and grandchildren, my heart is with you as you grieve and celebrate my wonderful Aunt Sugar. I have been thinking about you all and remembering so many good times. I remember walking into your house, always smelling something good cooking in the kitchen. She was such a gracious host when all of us descended on Amarillo. I’m remembering her laugh while all the adults played Yahtzee downstairs at Grandmother’s while we got into our own games upstairs. She also welcomed Chase, Charlie & I to her home as we made trips to and from Utah in Chase’s college years. Hugs to you all. I wish I could be there in person for those, but that’s just not possible right now. Prayers of peace and comfort for all.
She was a beautiful Lady.
Mary Crow was quite a true lady I admired & respected at Amarillo Senior Citizens. She was always on the dance floor RIP. with God. I will always miss you.
Steve and family,
I just saw your Moms obituary and wanted to give you my condolences. I remember our Mom well from our Jr High and High School days. Anyway we were at your home she was always nice to us,, she had her hands full with you your brothers and sisters and a great sense of humor. Such a nice lady.
Looks like she had quite and active life. Prayers to you and family.
Armand and Nancy Smith