Mary Ray Crandall, 91, passed from this earth at her home in Grain Valley due to natural causes on March 2, 2019. Memorial services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. The family and Mary suggests contributions be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Mary was born on August 12, 1927 to Albert Olen Ray and Florence Thomas Ray in Kansas City, Missouri, and lived in the KC Area her entire life. She attended Kensington Elementary school and graduated from East High School in 1944 at which time she went to work for KC Transit Company. On May 9, 1947, she married Elwood Eugene Crandall, moved to Independence and continued working for KC Transit Company until 1953, at which time she became a stay-at-home Mom. Mary rejoined the workforce in 1961, going to work for Western Electric in Lee’s Summit and after 26 years, she retired in April of 1987 from Lucent Technologies. She was very active in the Telephone Pioneers of America Club and was an active member at the time of her passing. In 1947 Mary became a member of the Independence First Christian Church, where she sang in the choir for 10 years and was still a member.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene, of 52 years; and 3 siblings: Doris McCullom, Charles Ray, and Louis Niswonger.
Mary is survived by son, Curt and wife, Deb of Buckner, MO; grandson, Cameron Tate Crandall of Kansas City, MO; great-grandkids, Brycen Tate and Kaden Riley of Grain Valley, MO; grandson, Corey Matthew Crandall and wife, Miriam; great-grandkids, Abigail Grace, Luke Winters, Isaiah Matthew & Eva Jean of Blue Springs, MO; son, Chris and wife, Stacy of Independence, MO; grandson, Benjamin Joseph (BJ) Crandall and wife, Joy; great-grandkids, Lily Faith & Layla Grace of Independence, MO; grandson, Eric Nathan Crandall and wife, Kari; great-grandkid, Lincoln Thomas of Independence, MO; and grandson, Kyle Thomas Crandall of Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Mary enjoyed life and was always busy doing something. She especially enjoyed watching her grandsons grow up and then her great-grandkids. Although she was not necessarily a big fan of water activities, she absolutely loved going to her lake cabin. She was extremely proud of the fact that she had six Eagle Scouts and seven members of the Tribe of MIC-O-SAY.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441