Kathleen Crape

Kathleen Antoinette Crape was born on August 24, 1959, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from the union of L.C. and Collette Crape-Pinion. During Kathleen’s formative years, her mother united in Holy Matrimony with Mr. James M. Pinion, who raised Kathleen as his own daughter, along with her 7 sibling brothers and sisters and his own 4 children from a previous marriage. We were the official “black Brady Bunch,” at 4151 N. 12th Street, in Milwaukee. Kathleen led a very happy and fulfilling childhood. She was the “baby girl” and “Very Spoiled!” Years later, a baby boy, Darrick Allen Pinion, was born and added to the bunch, but Kathleen was still the “baby girl and still spoiled!” As a child, Kathleen accepted Jesus Christ to be her personal Lord and Savior at the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church and was water baptized under the leadership of the late Rev. John H. Brent. Later in adulthood, she united with Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Leroy B. Mixon, where she was a devoted member of the Gospel Choir and a very active participant of the Sunday School ministry. Kathleen received her formal education in the Milwaukee Public School system, graduating from Rufus King High School, Class of 1978. She always excelled in life in her career choices. This was evident in her tenure of more than 10 years in the Administrative Offices of Marquette University, at the downtown campus, as Office Manager of Postal Services and the Student Amenities Store. She furthered her education at numerous academic facilities throughout her career, participating in special study courses at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (with studies in Workforce Development) and the Milwaukee Area Technical College (studies in Early Childhood Development). Other academic pursuits took place at Cardinal Stritch College and Rockhurst College. She continued her studies while maintaining her various positions at the Milwaukee corporate offices of Maximus, which ultimately led to a “huge” promotion to Operations Manager of the Company. At the time of her passing, Kathleen was Director and General Manager of Dreamland Childcare. All who knew Kathleen were aware of her wonderful ability to host gatherings at her lovely home for the various groups and organizations that she was involved in. Her family was also blessed by the many gatherings of Packer parties and the annual family Christmas gatherings and gift exchanging. Kathleen was a die-hard fan of The Green Bay Packers (a love that was shared with a special nephew, whom we all call Bee Bee). This love for “the Pack” was extended to the vast collection of sports memorabilia she had garnered over the years as a staunch supporter of the team, cheering them on to forthcoming victories! Kathy (as her family called her) was a “dynamic” mother to her beloved son, Marvin (named after Kathy’s mad crush on R&B soul singer, the late Marvin Gaye). Marvin was born from a long-lasting love with Kathleen’s high school sweetheart, the late Howard Clayton, Jr., Marvin’s dad. She was also a phenomenal grandmother as well and spoiled her grands to the moon and back! Among Kathleen’s interests and pastimes were enjoying a great movie. Son, Marvin, said his mother loved arts and crafts and interior decorating. She was an outstanding cook and maintained an immaculate and very organized home. Marvin further said she simply loved helping others. In fact, her life’s journey proved to be helping others, which was exemplified in the organizations she belonged to such as A-LEGO (African American Ladies Empowered to Grow Opportunities); working with the late Hattie Daniels-Rush; The National Association of Workforce Professionals and The Bottomless Closet, as a member of their Board of Directors, (a non-profit organization established for providing clothing for women re-entering society who have suffered domestic violence, incarceration and homelessness). Kathleen also took on the role of being her neighborhood “Community Watchdog” Chairperson and their spokesperson for the media. Kathleen became intensely involved in the Order of the Eastern Star, a goal that she wanted to pursue due to the fact that her mother had been a member of the OES, or “The Order.” She was a member of Princess Ellah, Chapter #1. Princess Ellah is the oldest and first chartered Chapter of Unity Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, State of Wisconsin Prince Hall Affiliate. She was elected and served as Worthy Matron from 2009 until 2011. Kathleen’s love and zeal for the Eastern Star inspired her to be very active. She was also a member of the Milwaukee Assembly, #28, Order of the Golden Circle and Zembo Temple Court #130, where she was currently serving as 2nd Lieutenant Commandress. This hard work was rewarded as she was appointed to other positions in the Grand Chapter. In June of 2014, she was elected Grand Associate Conductress which began her journey of ascension to become the 36th Grand Worthy Matron, Order of The Eastern Star, State of Wisconsin, Unity Grand Chapter, Prince Hall Affiliate. She held this position from June 11, 2020, until her passing. Kathleen's motto that she selected for her administration was "Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fears.” She was dedicated to hosting the weekly Thursday night prayer vigils of The Order; praying for individuals, the community and our country. She guided numerous fundraisers for The Order to benefit educating the youths in our various communities, feeding and clothing the hungry and homeless in the greater Milwaukee community and throughout the state of Wisconsin; working toward change to make life better for individuals. It was this commitment for change that eventually led to her being named Grand Worthy Matron. She had just hosted the organization’s membership for their 2023 Midwest Regional Conference, in downtown Milwaukee, the week of her passing. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Fathers, L.C. Crape and James M. Pinion, Mother, Collette Crape-Pinion, Sisters Mary Allice Bradford and Elaine Crape; Brothers Terry Crape, Larry Crape and Jerome “Jerry” Crape and her Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts. Extended Family, Sisters Cynthia Pinion and Jacquelyn Pinion and Brother Bruce Pinion. God called our beloved “baby girl,” mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and cousin home to Glory in the early morning hours of Monday, March 13, 2023. We know we can never replace her, nor would we try to. However, her going leaves a big hole in the hearts of her much loved Son, Marvin Maurice Clayton, Grandchildren, Javonte Clayton-Parr, Camari Mathis, Amari Butler, Destiny Clayton and King Clayton; Sisters Diana Bradford-Cannon (William “Bill” Luster, Fiancé), Susan Crape, Claudette Crape-Howard; Brothers Donald Crape, Darrick Allen (Carmen) Pinion and Cornell Pinion (all of Milwaukee). Nieces, Collette Michele Cannon-Revels (of San Antonio), Kimberly Nicole Crape-Dantzler (of Dallas), Charletta Renee Crape-Tribble (Derrick) of Milwaukee (Charletta is also Kathleen’s Goddaughter), Brittany Sue Crape-Morris (of Dallas), whom Kathleen helped raise from infancy, Kayla Marllette Pinion and Amanda Rae Pinion (of Milwaukee); Nephews Brian Ashley-Crape, Terrance Crape, (of Milwaukee) Jason R. Cannon (of Atlanta), Cedric Lamont Crape and Eric Bryant-Howard (Malika) (of Milwaukee and frequent visitor to his Aunt Kathy) and Aaron Lee “Bee Bee” (Maricella) Howard (of Chicago), Darrick Allen Pinion, Jr. and James Ismael Pinion, Jr. (of Milwaukee); Godson and Great Nephew Mayson Cole Hurse (of Dallas). Kathleen is further survived by an Aunt Willie Mae Goodlow-Jones (93), (of Milwaukee ) and Emma J. Pinion-Mathis (of Lake Wells, Florida); a host of cousins and relatives of our ancestors including the Crape, Pinion, Goodlow, Bradford, Harris, Cannon, Clayton, Howard, Mosby, Christian, Lindsey , Mosely, Mathis, Coleman, Fayne, Sprewell, Sprewer, DeBerry and Dantzler clans; Best Friend, Cassandra D. Holley (of Mequon), the Officiant and Eulogist of her homegoing; Endeared Friend and Sister-in-Law, Emma Pinion-Huff (of Madison, WI); Endeared Childhood Friend, Vivian “Nay Nay” Westmoreland (of Milwaukee). Kathy’s special group of girlfriends, aka, “The Sisterhood,” consisting of Pastor Cassandra D. Holley, Vivian Westmoreland, Patricia Crockett, Pamela Moore-Simmons, Tasha Hannah, Adrienne Brown, Taahiraa S. Thomas and Murielle Sago (of Milwaukee) and many other friends and other associates during her lifetime.