Sammy Wilson

Harriett Crawford Wilson, better known as “Sammy” since 1944, went Home to her Lord on August 28, 2024, at her residence of 75 years, surrounded by the love of her three granddaughters. Her greatest joy was being their Nona. She lived a full life to the incredible age of 100 and she had no regrets. 

Sammy was born in Overland Park, Kansas, on March 22, 1924, to Chester and Rosa (Kepcha) Crawford. She joined the Independence First United Methodist Church in 1938 at the age of 14 and remained a faithful member for the rest of her life. Her church family gave her strength when she needed it the most, she said. She was a dedicated and active member of her congregation: teaching Sunday School, cooking and delivering meals to those in need, visiting people in hospital or housebound, and much more.

She married Robert L. Wilson on April 22, 1945, and loved him for the next 65 years of their life together. She worked at Montgomery Ward as a keypunch operator, retiring from the position in 1964. It was here she met Fran, one of her dearest friends to the very end. She then worked as a stay-at-home mother raising three children, spending her free time making beautiful quilts for those she loved. Her other passions included her vegetable garden, growing irises, and welcoming anyone who stopped by her home with a fierce hug and a homemade meal. She was an avid reader and loved to share a good book. She was easy to love and impossible to forget.

Sammy was preceded in death by her husband Robert Wilson, her parents Chester D. Crawford and Rosa (Kepcha), and brothers Chester, Bernard, James, and Lloyd Crawford. 

She is survived by her three children Cheryl Reeves, Chris (Marsha) Wilson, Rosanna (Scot) Young, three granddaughters Aprille (Dave) Ross, Alisha (Logan) Goldschmidt, and Abigail (Steve) Young, two great-grandsons Montana (Nikki) Mejia and Oliver Goldschmidt, her sister Betty Burris, several nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, and an unending list of cherished and beloved friends. 

“When tomorrow starts without me,

Don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I’m right here in your heart”

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First United Methodist Church (400 W Maple, Independence, MO) food bank so they can continue to feed those in need.