Katherine B. Crow

Katherine Browning Crow, 89, of Walnut Creek, California, peacefully passed away on November 3. She touched many lives as a true friend, supportive matriarch, and worldly observer.

Katherine was born in Fayette, Missouri, on June 9, 1925 to proud parents, Winslow Wood and Laura Bell Browning, and two brothers, Winslow and Robert. Growing up she enjoyed the slow life, knowing her neighbors, and helping her mother make fudge and divinity during the holidays. She attended the University of Missouri in Columbia and was a member of Tri Delta.
On October 25, 1947 Katherine married her childhood heartthrob, Riley Tieman Crow, and settled down in St. Louis. They enjoyed many of life's greatest adventures, including visiting family friend Harry S. Truman at the White House and going on safari to Africa. They were the proud and adored parents of Caroline, Barbara, Deborah and David and the cherished grandparents of Tammy, Brandon, Erica and Isabel, who coined them Gwaa and Doodah. In 2013 and 2014, Katherine was thrilled to become a great grandmother to Erica's daughter, Riley, and Tammy's triplets, Cooper, Tylie and Tenley. She loved her family fiercely.
In the early 70's Tieman and Katherine moved from Ladue, Missouri to Lake Saint Louis, Missouri to develop and build a new town. Lake Saint Louis, the first planned private community in the county that still thrives today, consisted of a mix of suburban homes, lakes, a country club and retail stores. Here Katherine's impeccable fashion sense and keen eye for design led her to pursue interior design. She beautifully appointed the Lake Saint Louis display homes, office buildings, and country club. Ultimately, Katherine opened a home design boutique, Design Post, which she later moved to Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis. Tieman and Katherine eventually resided in Chesterfield, Missouri and were devoted members of Second Baptist Church in Richmond Heights.
After Tieman's passing in 1991, Katherine relocated to Walnut Creek, California to live with Caroline, Tammy and Deborah. By way of her adored friends in St. Louis, Katherine made wonderful friendships in California very quickly and came to love the area. She visited her friends and family in St. Louis often and enjoyed catching up. Her new home was complete when she stumbled upon Shell Ridge Community Church in Walnut Creek, where she was dedicated to the parish until her passing. Some of her fondest memories were working with the church's youth through its Kids Can Club.
Throughout her life Katherine was an avid knitter, needle pointer, and quilter, joyfully making treasured gifts for her family and friends. Her bridge playing skills and love of reading and crosswords kept her mind agile and conversations witty and inspired. Katherine left a big mark on this world and will truly be missed.

Tieman and her two daughters, Caroline Crow and Barbara Crow Stout, precede Katherine. She is survived by her devoted children Deborah Crow of Concord, California and David Andrew Crow and his wife Rebecca Gaston Crow of Dallas, along with her grandchildren, Brandon Hurst Willingham and his wife Bailey Collins Willingham; Tamara Crow deClercq and her husband Christopher deClercq; Erica Tieman Willingham Schulz and her husband Brett Richard Schulz; and Isabel Riley Crow; and four great grandchildren, Riley Tieman Schulz; Cooper Charles deClercq; Tylie Caroline deClercq; and Tenley Patricia deClercq.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Shell Ridge Community Church's Kids Can Club.

Friends and family are invited to a funeral service Saturday, November 15 at 2:00pm at Shell Ridge Community Church (200 La Casa Via, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, (925) 935-3250).