Ama Carroll (Miles) Crump

Missoula - Ama Carrol Miles Crump, our dear mother and grandmother, passed away at her home in Missoula on September 3, 2022, from congestive heart failure. We remember her love and warm smile and innate goodness, and take solace in believing she is reunited with her beloved husband. Carrol was born in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, the youngest of eight children of Robert Ray and Ama Potter Miles, on June 28, 1929, and grew up on their farm at Sunnyside. She graduated at the top of her class at Lava High, where, among other activities, she was editor of the school newspaper, co-editor of the yearbook, and editor of the senior-class magazine. She always had a way with editing and language, a gift for layout and design. She met Clifford Crump at a dance in Lava when they were both 15 years old. Three years later, on November 26, 1947, they were married in a courthouse ceremony in Pocatello, and sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on July 27, 1948. When Clifford died in 2017, they’d been married nearly 70 years, loving each other, working side by side, enjoying one another’s company. They were great parents to three children, Robert (born in 1950), Kathleen (in 1952), and Kenneth (in 1960), who each knew they were loved. Carrol was instinctively a nurturing mother. Clifford and Carrol operated wheat farms in Idaho until they were 40, when the Montana ranch they’d had their eye on for 14 years came for sale, and they moved to Post Creek, up near the Mission Mountains. They ran that ranch together well into their 70s, taking pride in improving their property and building up their herd of cattle. Carrol was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in a number of leadership, teaching and music positions for decades, especially enjoying her time teaching Primary and Mutual kids. She loved her flower gardens and music and connecting with family and friends. People were drawn to her. Almost to the end, she still had great phone calls. Carrol was witty and warm and genuinely caring, a safe harbor, if ever needed. She always watched out for others. We remember as children going with her to visit elderly or housebound neighbors, helping carry in the cookies or pie or bread she’d baked, listening to the conversations, watching the smiles. Upon retirement, Carrol became a fan of BYU sports, especially basketball, and every Sunday call from Ken included sports talk. A highlight of her life was when Yoeli Childs (her favorite player) surprised her with a video greeting for her 90th birthday, and Mark Pope (her favorite coach) invited her to be the team’s special guest at a home game in Provo. She was bowled over by the invitation, but declined. Even if she’d still been able to travel to Utah, she was far too shy to have such a fuss made over her. Carrol is survived by her children, Bob, in Moore, Idaho; Kathy, in Missoula; and Ken and his wife, Amy, in Orem, Utah; seven grandchildren, Rob, Scott (who thinks of her as his mom) and Brett in Montana; Kenny, Lauren and Ryan in Utah, and Kristen in Nevada; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; her parents, Ray and Ama; her sister, Elsie Perkins; and her brothers, Roy, Luther, Vern, Howard, and twins Vere and Verl. Carrol felt gratitude for the people who cared for her. She especially wanted to thank Kathy for making it possible to stay in her home, exactly where she wanted to be. Thanks, too, go to: Childhood friend Lillie Croney, for nearly 90 years of keeping each other close. Scott and Rob, for always wanting to help their grandma anytime. Bob and Ken and Amy, and her “other kids,” Kevin Maki and Jeniel Bennefield, for everything from laughter and stories to flowers and handmade blankets. Extended family Karla and David Swim and Jerry and the late Reetha Baehm, and church friends Helen Reynolds, Jed and Nina Dewey, and Gordon Smith, for years of outreach and camaraderie. Mary Shick and Dr. Chet Wright, for compassionate medical care. And Ron and Linda Chase, for being incomparable neighbors who’ve always had our back. There will be a graveside service at 3 pm, on Saturday, September 10th, at the Lava Hot Springs cemetery, where we’ll gather to celebrate the life of this kind and gentle woman we love so much. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

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