Memorial services for Shirley Edmondson Crump, 86, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 30, 2024, at Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary. Shirley’s wish is for her family and friends to celebrate her life over coffee and donuts following the service.  A private family interment will be held Friday afternoon at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held at Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary on Thursday, August 29, at 5-7 p.m.

Shirley passed away peacefully on August 26, 2024. She was born on March 23, 1938, in Gilbert, Louisiana, but lived in Lake Providence, Louisiana, until she left home to attend college.

Attending Louisiana Tech University, she majored in Elementary Education. While at Tech Shirley was very involved in the Baptist Student Union where she met the love of her life, Kenny Crump. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 and began her teaching career in Tallulah, Louisiana. She and Kenny married in 1961 and moved to Denver, Colorado, where their first child, Faith, was born. They lived in Bozeman, Montana, and Buffalo, New York, in the next few years when Tanya and Casey were born. Afterward, they settled permanently in Ruston, Louisiana, where Shirley devoted her time to parenting her three children. She later completed her Master of Arts degree in elementary education at Louisiana Tech in 1980.

Shirley had a lifelong love for teaching. After her children began high school and college, she taught at Hillcrest Elementary for 10 years as well as teaching Sunday School in the Temple college department for many years. She also had a heart for internationals. She began teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) as a volunteer through Friendship International in 1989, impacting hundreds of students from 36 different countries. Shirley continued teaching ESL for 35 years, and she and Kenny also spent 12 summers teaching English in China.

In addition to teaching, Shirley enjoyed working in her yard, reading books, crocheting, playing bridge, having coffee with her friends, and traveling. She and Kenny visited all 50 states and traveled the world touring over 25 countries.

Shirley loved serving others and volunteered at Christian Community Action, the local hospital, Rolling Hills, and Life Choices, as well as many other ministries. She had a true gift for hospitality and loved nothing more than to have family and friends in her home, hosting numerous bridal and baby showers, Christmas parties, high school Bible studies, and hundreds of college students and internationals. Her strong faith and love for the Lord led her to serve at Temple Baptist Church where she was involved in several Women’s Missionary groups (her favorite was Missionary Round Table), taught in the college department for 25 years and the international class for 20 plus years, sang in the sanctuary choir, and served on many committees.

An avid Louisiana Tech supporter, Shirley was a charter member of Lagniappe Ladies and a lifetime member of the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association.  She delighted in helping students attend college and left a lasting legacy through an Edmondson/Crump College of Education scholarship. In recognition of her contributions to the field of education, she was the university’s 2017 College of Education Distinguished Alumna.   Shirley loved trees, and a plaque on the university campus recognizes her role in planting trees on the Tech grounds. Those who knew Shirley know how much she enjoyed any type of sports, but especially cheering on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and New Orleans Saints.

Shirley lived a full and rewarding life, but her greatest joy was her family, including Kenny during their 63 years of marriage, her three children and spouses, six grandchildren and spouses, four great-grandchildren, and her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. She is remembered by her family and friends for her positive spirit and love for people. She was a true blessing to her family through her loyal devotion, unwavering encouragement, and unconditional love.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents Opal and Frank Edmondson; her siblings, Ned Edmondson and wife Merle; Jerry Edmondson and wife Patsy; and son-in-law Greg Alexander. She is survived by her husband Kenny Crump; daughters Faith Crump Alexander of Ruston, Louisiana, and Tanya Crump Bernard and husband Bruce of Katy, Texas; her son Casey Crump and wife Weiva Sieh of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren: Dustin Alexander and Daniel Alexander and wife Jenny of Ruston, Louisiana; Emory Bernard of Wilmington, Delaware; Micah Becker and husband Matous of Akron, Ohio; Jacob Bernard and wife Shelby of Noblesville, Indiana; and Kenneth Crump of Rice University in Houston, Texas; and four great-grandchildren: Garner and Grayson Alexander, and Ella and Dax Alexander.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Alexander, Daniel Alexander, Jacob Bernard, Matous Becker, and Kenneth Crump.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Boys & Girls Club of North Louisiana or the local Friendship International.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

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