Naomi Ruth Creason

On February 26, 2024 Naomi Ruth McCrary Creason closed her eyes for the last time, as she peacefully succumbed to natural causes at Carlsbad Medical Center in Carlsbad, NM at the age of 103 years, 11 months, and 18 days.

                She was born March 8, 1920 in Linn County, MO to Nelson and Lea McCrary where she joined an older brother Raymond.  Naomi attended all 8 grades in rural school sometimes riding back and forth the 6 miles on her old horse, Joe. Now Joe was a little skittish and once in a while he would throw her off - but he always headed back to the farm where her dad would hop back on him and go find Naomi.    She would later return to this same school as a teacher where her first teaching contract was $45 a month.  Naomi graduated from high school in 1938 and she always knew she wanted to teach first grade and after years of teaching at her old grade school, while attending college, Naomi received a bachelor’s degree.   In 1958 she received her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Kirksville State Teacher’s College, all while teaching and raising a family.

                In 1939 Naomi married her childhood friend Nolan Creason and they bought a farm and farmed for 19 years. During that time, they had two daughters, Judy and Janie.  Naomi had taught school in Missouri for 10 years when the family moved to a ‘warmer’ climate due to Nolan’s severe Osteoarthritis and settled in Carlsbad in 1958 where she taught 1^st grade for 23+ years.  She also provided instructional reading for 7 years to 6^th graders. In 1981 she retired from teaching which gave Naomi and Nolan time to do more traveling.  She was always open to a new adventure and ready to jump into an RV at a moment’s notice.   They were active members in Caveman Sam Club and they wintered in Tucson for many years becoming very involved in the North 40 RV Park joining in all their activities.  Naomi loved arts and crafts of any kind, dabbled in painting, loved going to the Casino and made the best darned Pecan Pie you ever tasted!   Once asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Naomi said, “a teacher and a painter”.  She loved to play cards and dominoes and hosted many card parties.   Naomi was small in stature but not in personality.

                Nolan passed away in 1992 but that didn’t slow Naomi down—she moved into Lakeview Village and volunteered at the nursing home and with a neighbor, Ruby, continued her travelling adventures together for many years.  In 1999 she joined wagons with Eugene Gilmore and for 15 years they had lots of fun and experiences travelling until his passing in 2015.

                Naomi was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1958 where she helped with first grade bible school for many years – once a teacher, always a teacher!!  She was a life member of NM Retired Teachers Assoc., and a life member of Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher’s Sorority where she served as local and State President; and Epsilon Local Chapter and as State President for 2 years; the local Good Sam Club travel chapter since 1979 and received the Golden Halo Award in 1995.

               Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Lea McCrary and her brother, Raymond along with Nolan and Eugene. She is survived by her two daughters, Judy Swearengen and husband Jerry of Milan, MO, Janie Dunlap and husband Charles of Carlsbad; Eugene’s children, Cyndi, Diana, Tom, Bob; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; five nieces; six nephews and dear friend, Belia Cabelueza.

                Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on March 4, 2024 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home.  Services will be held at 2:00 PM on March 5, 2024 at Lakeview Christian Home Chapel, 1905 W. Pierce St.  Pallbearers will be John Dunlap, Tim Squires, Bob Gilmore, Jon Barnes, J.C. Cunningham and Terry McKean.