T.T. Crabtree, 83, the long-time pastor of First Baptist Church, Springfield, died Sept. 18 in Primrose Health Care Center in Springfield. He had been in declining health during the past few years.
He was elected president of the Missouri Baptist Convention in 1981.
Born in Bells, Tenn., on August 2, 1924, he was the oldest child of Thomas T. Crabtree Sr. and Laverne Taylor Crabtree. Crabtree was raised on his family's farm in Bells, Tenn.
He graduated from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where he met and married Bennie Elizabeth Cole on April 21, 1946. She survives. Crabtree completed a master of divinity degree and a doctorate in theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Crabtree served eight Southern Baptist churches during his pastoral ministry, including a pair of "half-time" churches near Jackson, Tenn., while in college. His other pastorates included Bethel Baptist Church, Humboldt, Tenn. (1942-1946); Salem Baptist Church, Lynn Grove, Ky. (1946-1951); Leawood Baptist Church, Memphis, Tenn. (1951-1955); Immanuel Baptist Church, Tulsa, Okla. (1955-1963); and Putnam City Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Okla. (1963-1971).
He served the Springfield church from 1971 to 1990.
From 1992 to 1996, Crabtree served as the interim dean of the Redford School of Theology at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. During his retirement, Crabtree was named pastor emeritus of First Baptist in Springfield.
Crabtree preached many revivals and evangelistic meetings during his life, across the United States and in several countries overseas, including Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.
Crabtree endowed lectureships at both Union University and Southwest Baptist University in his wife's honor. The ongoing lectureships are intended to provide quality training for young adults in the development of marriage and family relationships.
He was the author/editor of the “Pastor's Annual” published by Zondervan Publishing Company. He was a long-time member of Rotary International,
Crabtree served on the board of directors of Lester E. Cox Medical Center, now Cox Health, for more than 30 years. He also served as a member of Springfield's Community Foundation. Crabtree supported many community projects including improved facilities for the Greene County Jail and the development of an alcohol treatment facility now called Sigma House of Springfield.
Crabtree also served on the boards of several Southern Baptist organizations including the boards of trustees at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla.; Southwest Baptist University; and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Crabtree was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Ann Criss; and a son, Robert Cody Crabtree. In addition to his wife, survivors include his son and wife, Tom and Carolyn Crabtree of Vancouver, Wash.; and his daughter and husband, Anna Beth and Robert Morgan of Joplin.
Visitation was set at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 . A memorial celebration service was planned for Friday, Sept. 21, at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 525 South St., Springfield. Pastor Michael Overton and Pat Ward were to officiate.
Interment was to follow in Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield. Memorials may be made to the T.T. and Bennie Cole Crabtree Endowed Lectureship at Southwest Baptist University, 1600 University Ave., Bolivar, MO 65613
