Lillian Ruth Bateman Crowe

Lillian Ruth Bateman Crowe, age 85, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024.

Ruth was born in Franklinton, LA, on May 29, 1939 to Madison and Lillian Bateman. She learned her amazing work ethic growing up on a dairy farm. In her childhood, Ruth was surrounded by a close-knit extended family. Her selflessness, acceptance and love of everyone gained her lifelong friends wherever she went. Ruth’s faith led her to be an active member of church wherever she made her home. Her love of service is evident and it led her to a career in nursing. She attended Mather School of Nursing with her partner-in-crime, Sue Macias. Ruths first marriage gave her four loving children. They lived in Germany, England, Scotland and New Orleans. While she in Europe, she developed a love of travel and adventure. While raising four active children, Ruth found time to work fulltime, attend school to get both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree, and to indulge her lifetime love of art. Her nursing career included working at Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, as a school nurse in New Orleans Public Schools, and as an occupational health nurse at BP Oil. A friend set her up with on a date with Allen Crowe, who she had the good sense to marry. In marrying Allen, Ruth took in his two kids as her own. After Allen retired, they made their home in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The themes of her live revolve around family and friends, church, travel, art, service to others and cooking. Ruth was active in her church family everywhere she went. Cooking was her love language. If anyone was hurting or in need, there was always a meal (always delicious) to be shared. Ruth’s love of art was something she shared with her sisters, and they enjoyed frequent trips to art workshops. She was always there to lend a helping hand whenever anyone needed it. She was also an active member of P.E.O.

Ruth is survived by her children, Donald Larson (Marielle), Kathy Larson Hood (John), Andrea Schultz (Ken), and Craig Larson (Aileen); bonus children, David Crowe (Debbie), Sharon Dooley (Craig), and Soren Lund (Dorte); sister, Donna Kilbourne (Don); grandchildren, Kristina Mosley, Rebeka Denigan, Priscilla Larson, Rosie Schultz, Katy Schultz, John David Hood, Carlos Larson, Ruthie Larson, and E.P. Larson; great-grandchildren, Roman, Adelai, and Donovan; and nieces and nephew, Rachel Nicolosi, Sharla Bond, David Nicolosi, and Beth Watkins.

She will be buried in Mountain Home Veteran’s Cemetery on Friday, October 11, 2024. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Crowe family.

Please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in place of flowers.