Donna Crockett, 54 of Amoret, Missouri died on August 9, 2023 peacefully at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri after battling ferociously against cancer for the last year. She was born November 22, 1968 to Ellis and Betty Holtzman in Chanute, Kansas.
Growing up in Thayer, Kansas the youngest of five children, she enjoyed her childhood on the farm. Some of her favorite stories to tell were of riding horses and spending time with her nieces, nephews, cousins, and many others who would frequent the Holtzman place. She was baptized at Thayer Christian Church. She attended Thayer schools from kindergarten to graduation, graduating in 1987. She met Richard Crockett while in high school and even though she was not at first interested, their love grew. The two were married on August 1, 1987. Following their wedding the pair moved to Joplin, Missouri to attend Ozark Christian College. Donna graduated with her Associates degree before attending Missouri Southern State University to obtain a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education.
Donna was a faithful wife, following Richard wherever the Lord called him in ministry. Over the years she taught in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Throughout her 31 year teaching career, she taught every elementary grade except for 3rd, and spent time working with preschoolers and their parents in the PAT program. For the past 4 years, she had taught first grade in Pleasanton, Kansas. Donna’s passion for teaching was strong, and her heart was always for her students. She often referred to them as not just her students, but her “kids.” She was a devoted mother to her four children. She made every effort to see all of her children participate in as many of their activities as she could. Donna’s favorite activity her kids participated in was band. She went to every concert, contest, and festival she could, and even joined for two big trips to Florida and California. Being a “band mom” was something she was very proud of!
After years of focusing on her children’s education Donna went back to school in 2015 to get her Masters. In 2017 she graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in Library Sciences. During this time she also became a Grandma, which was her favorite title and role that she held over her life. Any time off or long weekend she had, she did her best to visit her grandchildren. She loved to read with them, play outside, go on adventures, and teach them new things. She loved watching Abel play soccer, jumping on the trampoline with Lucas, and having tea parties with Riley. Abel, Lucas, and Riley will always know how much their grandma loved them.
When Richard and Donna moved to Amoret in 2019 it was the first time in 28 years that they didn’t have a child living at home. Together they planted a vast garden, attended Kansas City Royals games, and continued to pour into the people around them. In the past year Donna was also blessed to have her sweet pup, Rey.
Donna lived her life fully devoted to Christ. In all she did, her goal was to honor God and love those around her like Jesus. She had a deep love for God’s Word, studying it each and every day. There are people all across the United States, and even around the world, who have been impacted by Donna’s heart for God and for people. Her lasting legacy of the kingdom reaches far and wide, and she will be missed by many who she has mentored in their walks with Christ.
Donna is survived by her husband, Richard; her four children, Patrick Crockett, Rachel Pittman & husband, Zachary, Caleb Crockett & wife, Erin, and Rebekah Crockett; her grandchildren, Abel, Lucas, and Riley Pittman; her siblings, Barbara & David Powers, Judy & Randy Stafford, Eddie & Nancy Holtzman, and Jimmy & Sharon Holtzman; 25 nieces and nephews; and many other beloved family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, one nephew, one great nephew, and one grandchild.
