Doris Ruth "Dodie" (Smith) Crumpton

Doris Ruth "Dodie" (Smith) Crumpton, 91 of Battle Creek, peacefully went home to be with her Valentine on Monday, February 14, 2022.

Dodie was born April 19, 1930 in Port Washington, Ohio to Elvin Ronald and Maud Elnora (Sherer) Smith. She grew up in Port Washington and came to Battle Creek in 1942. Dodie was a 1948 graduate of Lakeview High School. She worked with her husband and brother-in-law, Chuck, in the office of the family business, Crumpton Automotive Parts.

Dodie met the love of her life in eighth grade. Doris Ruth "Dodie" Smith married Edward Thomas Crumpton on January 21, 1951, at the First Congregational Church in Battle Creek. Dodie was preceded in death by Ed, her husband of 64 years on February 17, 2015. Surviving are their children, Denise (Daniel) Nedeau of Traverse City, Julia (David) Shouldice of Battle Creek, Neil Crumpton of Portage, Eric Crumpton of Battle Creek; and eight grandchildren, James (Heather) Shouldice, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Smolik, Maggie (Jeff) Stockwell, Patrick (Caitlin) Crumpton, Nathan (Lynette Desjarlais) Crumpton, Eric (Morgan) Crumpton, Evan (Brandi) Crumpton and MacKenzie (Jeremy Wilson) Crumpton; seven great-grandchildren, Briony Shouldice, Ruby and Violet Smolik, Addison and Harper Stockwell, Joni Crumpton, Henry Crumpton and another due in July; two sisters, Janet (Ray) Lockhart, Joyce Putman and several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Dodie was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Dwain Smith, Thelma Dunham, Gladys Bishop and Robert Smith. Doris is also survived by her "sister of the heart" Mary Lou VanHuysen.

Dodie and Ed had their first date on New Year's Eve 1945 and they loved doing everything together. Ed always said, "She's my wife and my life." They loved traveling and spending time with their family at their homes in Battle Creek, on Long Lake in Traverse City; and in Hilton Head, SC. Dodie was an avid reader. She loved everything about family. You could find Dodie planting flowers, working in her flower beds and taking care of her home(s). She previously volunteered in the hospital gift shop. Dodie will be remembered as being gracious, kind, quietly intellectual, not needing to be in the spotlight, enjoying mother nature, family, friends, get-togethers, winning people over with her smile, kind eyes and generous soul.

Friends will be received 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/677908316 or you may also view it on the Farley Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home Facebook page. Entombment will be held at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Personal messages for the family may be placed in the Memory Book at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.