Nancy Jane Crowe Crosby passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on August 26, 2026.

Nancy was born on February 20, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, to Everett Duncan Crowe and Thelma Rawlings Crowe. An only child, she graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1951 and from Albion College in 1955, where she studied elementary education and art and was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega.

While at Albion, Nancy found herself seated next to family friend Kenneth Crosby during chapel services, where students were seated alphabetically. That fortunate arrangement would shape the rest of their lives. Nancy and Ken married in 1955 and shared 69 years of marriage before Ken’s death in 2024.

After college, Nancy put her love of children and education to work as a first-grade teacher in Michigan. She later devoted herself to raising her three children as a stay-at-home mom, a role she embraced with the same warmth, patience, and dedication that characterized her entire life.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Michael, William (Lisa), and Carol Hardesty (Scott); seven grandchildren, Paul Crosby, Shannon Crosby Vo (Allen), Lauren Crosby, Jesse Crosby (Samantha), Ally Hardesty, Jacob Crosby (Hannah), and Scott Hardesty; and five great-grandchildren, Matthew Zastrow, Madison Zastrow, Calihan Crosby, Carlin Crosby, and Covington Crosby. A sixth great-grandchild is expected in January.

A lifelong Methodist, Nancy devoted countless hours to serving the churches she called home. For more than two decades, she helped lead the children’s program and preschool at Manchester United Methodist Church, combining her love of children, education, and faith.

Ken’s career with General Motors took the family from Detroit to the Cleveland, Kansas City, and St. Louis areas before Nancy and Ken settled in Springfield in 2002 to be closer to five of their grandchildren. In Springfield, they especially treasured their time at Wesley and Campbell United Methodist Churches and at Twin Oaks Country Club, where they were avid golfers.

Service to others was woven throughout Nancy’s life. Over the years, she volunteered with numerous organizations, including Alpha Chi Omega, the American Association of University Women, and the March of Dimes. But perhaps closest to her heart was anything and everything involving her children and grandchildren. If someone she loved was involved, Nancy was there. Nancy will be remembered for her extraordinary kindness, her deep faith, and the love she so freely gave to everyone fortunate enough to know her. No one felt that love more deeply than her family, whom she loved with every ounce of her “5 foot 1 and 3⁄4” person.

To her family, she was simply Nonny, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love, warmth, and generous spirit will remain with us always. Her faith guided her throughout her life, and we find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with Ken and at home with the Lord.

And now, Jesus gets to enjoy her Christmas cookies.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2026 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life at Twin Oaks Country Club immediately following the cemetery service.