Dorothy Ann Golden Crabtree

Dorothy Ann Golden Crabtree, 87, died Tuesday November 9, 2010 in Little Rock surrounded by her family who loved their "Granny" dearly. She was born October 22, 1923 in New York City, New York to the late Howard and Catherine Dunleavy Golden. She worked at Double Day Book Publishers during World War II and met a soldier named Ted Crabtree at the USO. After a long courtship, she eventually got a little inpatient with his not asking her to marry him. Her girlfriend suggested she ask him for a ring for Christmas. She did. He did. And the rest is history. After marrying, "that nice young soldier from Arkansas", she loved to say she went from being a New Yorker to an Arkansan, a Catholic to a Methodist and a Republican to a Democrat. She also concluded that if she had known she would have to use an outhouse on Ted's family farm in Swifton, AR she might not have married him. They settled in Little Rock where they raised two daughters. Dorothy was not simply a homemaker. She was a devoted wife, mother, PTA president, Girl Scout leader, and the best chocolate chip cookie baker ever!. She was also a faithuful member of Winfield United Methodist Church since 1962 where she was a member of the Friendship Sunday School class, the United Methodist Women's Circle #1, and the Primetimers. In addition she volunteered at the Arkansas Cancer Research Center from 1989 to 2003, greeting patients and their families to make them feel welcome and comfortable as they faced a difficut time in their lives. But most of all Dorothy was "Granny" - a joy to her family and friends and a real hoot! Her best friend, Billie Knox, said it the best:"She was happy right to the very end." She is survived by her daughters, Carol Ann Penick and Pat Dillahunty; her grandchildren, Ted Penick and his wife Jill, Erica Penick, Lew Dillahunty, Bryan Dillahunty; and her great-grandchildren, Ted and Worth Penick. Her service will be at Winfield United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 12 followed by burial at Roselawn Cemetery next her beloved husband, Ted. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Winfield United Methodist Church, 20100 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72223. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.