Catherine S Crum

Catherine S. Crum, 96, of Rockville, Maryland, died peacefully at her home on October 7, 2018.

Catherine was born on March 9, 1922 in Verona, Virginia and was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Catherine (Thompson) Sprouse. She is preceded in death by her husband Alvin “Bud” Crum whom she was married to for 63 years as well as her brothers Erskine, Wilmer, Austin, Franklin and sister Evelyn Sprouse.

Mrs. Crum leaves behind three daughters, Debra Nielsen, Vicki Crum and Sandra Crum as well as her grandchildren Philip Grewe (Taylor), Katherine Manofsky (Jack), Daniel Grewe, Solvej Nielsen and Michael Grewe.

“Kitty”, as she liked to be called, spent her childhood living on a 94-acre farm in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. She never missed a day of school. She was the class secretary in her junior and senior years, member of the student council and was voted “most cooperative girl”. She left the farm after high school and moved to Waynesboro, Virginia to work at Dupont where she met and married Alvin Crum. She worked at Dupont for 14 years until her daughter Debra was born. They moved several times throughout West Virginia until settling in Rockville, Maryland in 1967. Kitty felt she was blessed being surrounded by wonderful neighbors who became life-long friends.

Catherine had an unwavering faith in the Lord. After her passing, her daughters found dozens of Christian poems, scripture passages and song titles from the hymnal written on pieces of paper stuck in various places. Even as her health was failing she openly witnessed her faith and thanked the Lord for all he had given her.

Mom, you have always been there for us as a steady hand to lead us in the right direction and not compromise who we are. You have lead by example and your decades of marriage to dad showed us all the true meaning of love.

Thank you for being a strong presence in our lives. Our hearts and our love are with you forever.