Obituary for Cynthia Crowe

Cynthia Crowe

d. October 8, 2024

Cynthia Lou Crowe passed away peacefully at her home in Bixby, Oklahoma, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. She followed her beloved husband, Andy, to Heaven just six months after his passing. Cynthia bravely battled a debilitating illness, which was diagnosed in February 2024 during a routine visit to the ophthalmologist.

Cynthia was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1942, in Kellyville, Oklahoma, to Elsie and Emmit Thomas. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Westwood, California, before settling in Ponca City, where Emmit began working for Continental Oil Company. Cynthia attended local schools and graduated from Ponca City High School (Po-Hi) in 1960. Throughout her childhood, she remained close to her siblings and cousins, often singing with them at church. Her love for music started early, and she learned to sing and play the guitar. She participated in choir and orchestra at East Junior High and Po-Hi, and her talent for music was constant in her life.

After high school, Cynthia visited her sister Melva in California, where she met Andrew Crowe, a carpenter in San Jose. The two married in 1961 and settled in Almaden, California, where they welcomed their two children, Andrea and Lance. In 1966, the family returned to Ponca City, where Andy became a home builder and Cynthia worked as a homemaker and later as a legal secretary. In 1973, their family grew with the birth of their third child, Brooke. Cynthia began working at Conoco in 1981 and worked there for 27 years.

Cynthia’s passion for music continued throughout her life. She performed in local bands and at numerous community events. In the 1960s, she recorded with Conway Twitty and his band, singing “Whispering Pines,” “Trouble in Mind,” and “Faded Love.” Cynthia was one of 10 finalists selected from 100 entrants for the recording session and had previously appeared on the “Ted Mack Amateur Hour”. She also performed as Ted’s guest at the Missouri State Fair.

In addition to her work and musical talents, Cynthia was deeply involved in her community. She helped organize entertainment for United Way fundraisers at Conoco and appeared in several productions at the Ponca Playhouse, including “Fiddler on the Roof”. A gifted musician with a voice reminiscent of Patsy Cline, she could also play piano and various string instruments by ear. Her biggest fan was always her husband, who cherished hearing her sing Patsy’s songs and Marty Robbins’ ballads at family gatherings.

Cynthia was a devoted mother and grandmother, always supporting her children’s activities and accomplishments. She had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her nieces and nephews. Until her final days, she prayed earnestly for her family to know the love of Jesus as she did and was an example of faith and selflessness to all who knew her in her church and community.

Cynthia is survived by her children: Andrea Simon of Bixby, OK; Lance Crowe and his wife, Andre, of Ponca City, OK; Brooke Leach and her husband Bryce of Parker, TX; and stepdaughter Shannon Pryor of Medford, OR. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Daniel Jennings (Ponca City), Candice Lemaster and her husband, Trevor (Tulsa), Benjamin Pryor (Medford), Haley Davis (Tulsa), Logan Crowe (Ponca City), Zachary Leach (Parker), and Andrew Leach (Parker), as well as her great-grandchildren: Cameron Proctor (Tulsa), Isaiah Collins (Tulsa), Jocelyn Davis (Tulsa), and twins Andy and Beau Davis (Tulsa). Her siblings, Melva Emmons and husband, Thane (Ponca City), Don Thomas and wife, Ginny (Ponca City), and Sam Thomas and wife, Karen (Perkins) also survive her, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Andy; her parents; her infant brother, Charles Thomas; and her older brother, Guy Thomas.

The family wishes for everyone reading this to make themselves aware of the disease that led to Cynthia’s death. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is considered a Parkinsonian movement disorder that can affect many aspects of life in a devastating way. Though it has no cure, early diagnosis of the disease may provide people with an opportunity to be proactive in managing care for victims of PSP.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2024, in the Grace Tabernacle Church with Pastor David Cale officiating, interment will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the care of Grace Memorial Chapel of Ponca City, OK. Visitation will be Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 3p.m. to 7 p.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel.

Online guest registry is available at www.gracememorialchapel.net