Heaven gained a new angel when Faye McCrumb passed peacefully June 1st surrounded by her loving family.
Faye McCrumb, 73, led a very interesting and productive life. Her passing left many friends and family members with tears of sadness as they will miss her, though, it left many with tears of joy remembering all the “Faye stories” that seem to have followed her and been created in her wake as well.
She lived in Alaska for 30-plus years and after meeting and marrying the love of her life, Walter McCrumb, they retired and finally settled in Stevensville, Montana where they have lived a wonderfully peaceful life with amazing friends, neighbors and visiting family, always playing the card game 5 Crowns, “Jesus loves me this I know.”
She was born in Cairo Illinois, though her youth was spent in Memphis near Graceland, then on to Miami where she graduated high school in 1969 “Go Vikings!” and later met her first husband. After their second child was born in 1975, they moved to New Mexico. After her divorce in 1983, she and her two daughters drove to Alaska where she lived and worked as one of the top photographers under the business name Lasting Impressions Photography Studio (aka LIPS). She was even hired to photograph Loretta Lynn once when she came up to Alaska to perform a concert.
She was the official photographer for the Miss Alaksa pageant as well as others, joining the winners in Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant for many years.
Faye even created a new branch of the Miss Alaksa pageant forming the “Gold Nuggets” a non-competitive inclusive program for young girls to learn poise, talent exploration, public speaking, and stage presence. The gold nuggets are still going even to this day.
She was also a talented seamstress, creating beautiful wears for many people including wedding dresses, prom gowns and an amazing wardrobe for herself.
After getting hit by a drunk driver, Faye worked with the Anchorage Police department to create a victim’s rights booklet that the officers still hand out to victims of various crimes. This book details the resources that are available along with phone numbers and other details. Faye was instrumental in ensuring that victims were taken care of.
In Stevensville she became well known for her embroidery and sewing talents. Faye won several blue ribbons at fairs and other contests. She sewed special wedding, confirmation, and prom dresses.
Faye will be missed greatly for her creative spirit, sense of humor, deep love for her family, and the lasting friendships she has made during her full life.
She is survived by her loving husband Walter McCrumb, her wonderful siblings and all the beautiful children she has had a part in raising, whether her own or those who came into her life with a need. She is preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Delores (nee Fischer) Brown.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
A celebration of life will be held at Florence-Carlton Community Church located at 20075 Old Highway 93 South on Saturday, June 15th at 1:00 pm
The service will be live streamed on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceCarltonCommunityChurch/
An additional service will be held in Anchorage Alaska, to be announced at a later date.