Montie Mooney's Obituary
Montie Lou Mooney, a long-time Tulsa resident, died November 8, 2010 in Fayetteville, AR at the age of 88. She and her identical twin Bobbie, were born in Ft. Smith, AR on October 11, 1922 to Robert and Montie Lou Crump. Their mother died the following day due to childbirth complications. Montie and Bobbie were raised in Ft. Smith by their paternal grandmother Mollie Crump, and maternal grandparents L.M. (Pat) and Pearl Duggins. When the twins were 13, their father married Dorothy Scott, and the family made their home in Tulsa. Montie later graduated from Tulsa’s Central High School. Montie’s father fostered in her a lifetime love of music and all types of dance. The family regularly went to Cain’s Dance Academy, later known as Cain’s Ballroom, where their father taught the girls ballroom dancing and Montie’s personal favorite, swing. As the United States mobilized a national war industry at the beginning of WWII, a new aircraft assembly facility was constructed in Tulsa, Douglas Aircraft. Montie was an original "Rosie the Riveter" at Douglas and proudly helped build the B-24 Liberator Strategic Bomber as a spot welder working the assembly line. On weekends, Montie would often join a busload of chaperoned young women and travel to USO dances at Ft. Chaffee, in northeastern Arkansas. She fondly told stories about the "big band" music, how she never "sat out" a dance, and of the many homesick soldiers she met. Forever engraved in her memory was the announcement on Douglas’ intercom, interrupting everyone’s workday with news of Japan’s surrender. When asked what happened next, she replied, "Everyone was so happy the war was over. We were told to turn in our toolboxes and go home!" Montie married Dallas Mooney, of Tulsa, on December 5, 1942. She was a full-time homemaker and they had 3 children, Clinton, Montie Lou, & Robbi. In 1964, she began a 25-year career as a nurse’s aide to pay for her children’s college education. After a year at Hillcrest Hospital, she joined the staff at St. John Hospital where she retired in 1988. Montie always worked the 11pm-7am "graveyard" shift, and gave thousands of newborns their very first bath. Montie lived her life as a testimony for Jesus Christ. She was generous and compassionate and always made room at her table for one more hungry soul. Even though she had a very modest home, it was continuously filled with love and laughter, and the most favorite place for all her children’s friends. She was a fabulous cook and well known for her pies and snickerdoodle cookies. An accomplished seamstress, quilter, and knitter, her family and friends benefited from her many talents. She patiently taught her children a lifetime of lessons and skills and most importantly how to get the most out of life by giving to others. She was an active member of East Tulsa Christian Church, and later became a charter member of Metro Faith Christian Church. Montie spent the last 6 years of her life with her daughters in Stillwater, OK and Fayetteville, AR. She was predeceased by her husband Dallas; son Clinton; twin sister Bobbie Sears; and brother Jon Crump. She is survived by mother Dorothy Crump of Tulsa; daughters and their spouses - Montie and Mark Gregory of Stillwater OK; Robbi and Dave Rader of Fayetteville, AR; daughter-in-law Emily Mooney of Tulsa; 5 grandchildren-Paul Mooney of Culloden, GA; Aaron Mooney of Oklahoma City; Cassie and Madison Rader of Fayetteville; and Carly Mayes of Stillwater; 4 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, a large extended family, and many loving friends. A "Celebration of Life" will be held at 1pm Saturday, December 11, at University Heights Baptist Church, 323 S. Knoblock, Stillwater, OK. Immediately following the service, her daughters will host a homemade pie and coffee reception in tribute to their mother. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Life Adult Day Center, 411 W. Mathews, Stillwater OK 74074 or Judith Karman Hospice, 915 S. Main, Stillwater OK 74074. Condolences may be emailed to the family through online registry.
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