Lois M Crabtree

Lois M. (Lawson) Crabtree, 87, of Indianapolis, went home to Jesus her Savior on March 20, 2019, after a brief illness. She is survived by daughter Elaine Crabtree, son Dale Crabtree, daughter-in-law Tami, grandchildren Blaine and Amelia, and 3 sisters: Esther Harshman, Leah Davis, and Lavonne Dickson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip Crabtree, and son Bruce.

Lois grew up in Pendleton, IN, graduating from Pendleton High School in 1950. She then went to Indianapolis General Hospital School of Nursing, where she was given the “Best Bedside Manner Award” at her graduation in 1953. Despite her success in school, Lois had some initial difficulties: during surgical rotation, she fainted the first two times in the operating room. She was given one last chance and asked her parents to pray hard. God answered, Lois prevailed, and surgery became one of her favorite assignments.

Lois and Phil married in 1955 and settled in Indianapolis to raise their family. Over the years Lois worked as a registered nurse in public health, surgery, and private duty, and later came out of retirement to nurse again in mental health at Community Hospital North. She selflessly nursed both Bruce and Phil through the long years of their final illnesses.

Lois and Phil were active in Broad Ripple Church of the Nazarene for many years, and later attended Calvary Bible Church and Hope Church before moving to the west side in the 1990s and joining Westside Church of the Nazarene. Lois also ran a Shaklee distributorship for decades

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 28, 5-8 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, March 29, (visitation beginning 1 hour prior), at Flanner Buchanan – Floral Park, 425 N. Holt Rd, Indianapolis, 46222.

Memorial contributions may be made to Joni and Friends, or Gideons International.