Suzanne Berry Crabtree's Obituary
Helen Suzanne Berry Crabtree, age 85, passed away peacefully at home in Dallas, Texas on August 17, 2025. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, James Myron Crabtree, by a mere 66 days, after being married for 62 years and 11 months. Suzanne gifted this world her son Curtis Houston Crabtree (wife Diane) of Dallas, Texas and daughter, Suzannah Leigh Elsherbini of Carrollton, Texas. Her sister, Rebecca (Becky) and husband William (Bill) Marshall of Norman, Oklahoma will miss her dearly. She was treasured as Susu by her grandchildren Lauren and Catherine Crabtree and Austin and Logan Elsherbini.
Suzanne was born in 1939 in Norman, Oklahoma to Helen Duncan and Dr. John Curtis Berry. She enjoyed an idyllic early life as a doctor's daughter and fondly recounted her times spent accompanying her father on house calls in the predawn hours. Suzanne's interests were many and ranged from Junior Police Citizen, earning accolades as a Sharpshooter and Pro Marksman in the Junior Division of the National Rifle Association, excelling as a Junior Golfer, achieving the rank of Grand Worthy Advisor International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In 1957 she graduated from Norman High in Norman, Oklahoma and continued her education at the University of Oklahoma's School of Education. At OU, she served as a member of the Student Senate and was a Gamma Phi Beta, where she formed friendships with sorority sisters who remained among her dearest, lifelong friends. She was also a faithful member of P.E.O. Chapter in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for 66 years.
Suzanne became a Special Education school teacher and helped guide her students to meaningful career job placements in both Midwest City, Oklahoma and Irving, Texas. She then turned her full attention to caring for Jim and her children, all the while continuing to express her artistic gifts in oil and watercolor paintings, charcoal, sculpture, pottery, landscape design and culinary arts.
Memorial services for family and friends will be held at Restland Cemetery, 13005
Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas on Wednesday August 27, 2025, at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Preston Valley Emergency Services Foundation PO Box 2347 Pottsboro, TX 75065.
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