Crystal Irene (Collins) Cooley, age 91, of Lucerne, MO, was born July 4, 1928, in rural Lucerne, MO, to Cecil David & Laura Elsie (Carter) Collins. She graduated from Lucerne High School in 1946. Crystal married David Russell Cooley on Jan. 17, 1949, at the Berry Christian Church, north of Galt, MO. Always by Russell’s side, they spent their married life farming near Lucerne, opening and operating Cooley Farm Service in the early 1960’s.
As a member of the Lucerne Christian Church, she loved the Lord with all her heart. Due to macular degeneration, reading was difficult, but her Bible was always open beneath her vision screen. Christian Hymns were a favorite, which genuinely filled her heart with faith, hope and joy.
Crystal loved hospitality and being of service. Her home was a revolving door where friends regularly joined her for coffee or brunch and she literally prepared countless meals for family & friends. Baking treats, for her church family, was a ministry dear to her heart. For many years, she weekly baked dozens of cookies, to be enjoyed between Worship Service & Sunday School! She also adored seeing her 4 daughters in matching, frilly dresses which she personally sewed for them, each Easter, when they were young.
In addition to her husband and parents, Crystal was preceded in death by two sisters Emma Jean Klinginsmith & Pansy Lorene Skipper.
Crystal is survived by four daughters and their husbands: Janet (Mark) Tade, Columbia, MO; Rita (Bob) Vickers, Shelbina, MO; Linda (David) Robinson, Lucerne, MO; Kay (Steve) Dickerson, Lucerne, MO. Her eight Grandkids & their spouses are: Marty (Billy) Tade Wynn, Steve (Jennifer) Tade, Julie (Fred) Vickers Stemme, Lori (Craig) Vickers Rehmert, Jeff (Dee) Robinson, Brian (Bridget) Robinson, Angie (John) Dickerson Sidden, Josh (Melody) Dickerson.
20 Great Grandkids: Riley Tade, Bailey (Brandon) Wynn Miller, Will & Tade Wynn; Jacob, Erin & Kaitlyn Stemme, Chloe, Lydia, & Corrine Rehmert; Wyatt & Cole Robinson, Abigail, Thomas & Isabel Robinson; Mitchell & Carter Sidden, Adeline, Gretchen & Charley Dickerson.
Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 12, 2020, with Services at 10:00 am Friday, March 13, at the Playle– Collins Funeral Home, Unionville, MO. Interment will be at the Lucerne Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Lucerne Cemetery or Lucerne Christian Church which may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO, 63565.