Faye L. Crum

Faye L. Crum, longtime Seminole elementary teacher, died January 25, 2010 at Seminole Care and Rehab Center.  She was 106 years old. She was born August 12, 1903 in Powell, Missouri to Albert Lafayette Jones and Frances Levada (Frazier) Jones, the fourth daughter of five girls and two boys.  Her family moved by train to a 160 acre farm in southwestern Lincoln County, Oklahoma in 1905 when she was 2 years old. Her first eight years of elementary school were at Woodlawn, a one-room country school located one mile from their farm.  She graduated from Luther High School and attended Central State Teacher College at Edmond for two years.  She received a two year State Teaching Certificate.  She taught one year at a one-room Lincoln County country school called Black Jack.  She had about 15 students in all grades.  She then taught several years at West Captain, another one-room school near the family farm. By attending college in the summer months, she was able to get her Life Teaching Certificate and her Bachelor of Science degree from Central State College.  Thereafter, she moved to Wellston, Oklahoma where she taught fourth grade until she married Maurice H. Crum in 1934.  They moved to Seminole where he was employed by First National Bank.  She substituted at Roosevelt School until the birth of their daughter, Janet Gayle, in 1940.  After Janet was in second grade, she started teaching fourth grade again and taught it for many years. She attended the University of Oklahoma at night, on Saturdays, and during the summer to earn her Master of Education degree.  She spent 32 years as an educator, retiring in 1969. She was a member of the Church of Christ at Seminole.  She was also a member of the Seminole County Retired Educators organization ever since she retired, and served as treasurer for several years. In 2000 she was inducted as an Original Pioneer in the First Families of the Twin Territories, sponsored by the Oklahoma Genealogical Society.  This organization was founded to recognize, honor, and perpetuate the memory of early Pioneer and Indian families who were residents of Oklahoma or Indian Territory on or before statehood.  She was also a member of Self Culture Club and Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional teachers organization that honored her with their Red Rose award.  She was also a member of the American Association of University Women where she was a 50 year member.  She was preceded in death by her husband, four sisters and two brothers.  She is survived by her daughter, Janet G. Seay, son-in-law, Frank H. Seay of Seminole, granddaughters, Trudy Wheeler and husband Jim Wheeler of Norman, Oklahoma, Laura Seay of Norman, Oklahoma, great grandchildren Kate, Ava, and Luke Wheeler.  She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews: Alzena Logan, Bob Denny, Bill Denny, Joe Jones, Jay Jones, Oral Ray Jones, Nancy Kuno and Candace Pigott. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at the Church of Christ at Seminole on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. with Chris Stinnett officiating. Burial in Maple Grove Cemetery will follow. The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at Swearingen Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made to the Church of Christ at Seminole, 4200 Highway 99N, Seminole, Oklahoma 74868 or the charity of your choice. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family online at www.swearingenfuneralhome.com     Funeral Information: January 27, 2010, 1:00 PM Church of Christ located at 4200 Highway #99, Seminole, OK 74868