Alma Crabb

Alma Laverne Crabb, 88 of Carlsbad, NM, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in El Paso, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home, with Pastor Joshua Crabb, grandson, officiating. Interment will follow at Carlsbad Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Denton-Wood Funeral Home.

Alma, “Memaw” or “Granny,” depending on which grandchild is speaking, was born on January 4, 1937, in Wagoner, Oklahoma, to Herbert Claude and Dalsia (Vanbrunt) Kelley. Alma moved to Carlsbad at the age of eighteen and, on March 12, 1955, married Charles Crabb. Together, they built a strong and loving family.

Alma was a very devoted mother to all six of her children. She made sure her kids and grandkids never went without the latest fashion, shoes, or special Christmas gifts. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and there are many memories of children and grandchildren gathered at the family home for the holiday, which always included gifts and fantastic food. Alma loved to bake and passed this tradition to her daughters and granddaughters. Pies, cakes, and cookies were abundant. Her cornbread dressing was a delicacy that cannot be duplicated. Alma had a sweet tooth and loved chocolates and ice cream. At one time, Charles commented to two of the granddaughters, “She eats ice cream for breakfast”, a line that still brings smiles to their faces.

Alma had an unyielding work ethic that she passed along to the children. She sold Avon and Tupperware and began working full-time in her 40s. She had a long-standing career in the business office of Carlsbad Medical Center, followed by a later tenure at the Surgical Group of Carlsbad. Alma worked full-time well into her late 70s. Following her retirement, she volunteered at the Cat’s Meow.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles, and her son, Curtis Crabb.

She leaves behind a large family who will cherish her memory; daughters Barbara Robillard (David), Nancy Crabb, Kellie Leach (Russell), Claudia Estrada-Hickman (Bill), and son Eric Crabb; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her sister, Helen Burns, and brother, Melvin Kelley; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Pallbearers are Brian McClane, Ryan Leach, Samuel Leach, Ryan Gonzales, Cole Kessler, and Dillon Reynolds.

In place of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of your choice.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to The Bartlett, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation facility for their excellent care.

Condolences may be shared at dentonwood.com.