CHARYS ANN “CHAM” CRAWFORD
July 30, 1942 – September 27, 2025
Cham Crawford, 83, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away on September 27, 2025. She was
born on July 30, 1942, in Creston, Iowa, to LeRoy and Mary McKee.
After graduating from high school, Cham married Frank Chubick in October 1960, and together they welcomed their daughter Christina in 1964. She was preceded in death by Frank later that year. On July 20, 1968, Cham married Donald Crawford at St. Malachy’s Church in Creston. In 1971, they moved to Ponca City to open Brown’s Shoe Fit Company, where they built their family and community.
She and Don shared a love of square dancing and traveled throughout the states with friends or to see friends and enjoyed this pastime together. Though Cham often hesitated to pack and prepare for trips, once on the road she delighted in the adventures, family time, and cherished friendships.
Cham embraced her role as Grandma Cham, attending her grandchildren’s many activities with joy and enthusiasm. She loved gardening and was known for her remarkable green thumb, as well as for her famous homemade noodles. Holidays and family dinners were often hosted at her home, where she welcomed loved ones with warmth and generosity.
Cham also enjoyed helping her daughters with projects and was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. She especially loved organizing and preparing for garage sales and never passed up a good bargain.
Cham is survived by her husband, Donald; siblings Marita McKee, Sue LaMasters, and Bob McKee of Creston, IA, and Jon McKee of Seattle, WA; daughters Christina Nichols (Mike) of Wichita, KS, Cherish Wentroth (Bill) and Chawnte’ Sober (Justin) of Ponca City; and grandchildren Katie Thomsen (Tyler), Bobby Schrag, Jace Sober, and Jenna Sober. She is also survived by too numerous to mention but dear to her heart brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law Bill and Catherine Crawford, in-laws Denny LaMasters, Larry Crawford, Doris Crawford, Jim Hullinger, Melinda Crawford, and Bill
Beech; nephews, Kendall Crawford, Joe LaMasters; and Christina’s father, Franklin Chubick. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ponca City. Also, a gathering of friends and family will be Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. -8 p.m. at Life Center, 1300 W. Grand, Ponca City. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma or St. Mary’s Catholic School honoring her by writing her name in the memo line.
Cham will be remembered for her devotion to family, her kindness, and her unwavering generosity. She touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed.