Today’s ABC Biography features Winnie Letha Currey, a woman whose life reflects both resilience and grace. Born in 1903 in Lansing, Kansas, Winnie’s early years took her from small-town beginnings to life in a Kansas City children’s home before she built a lasting home in Dodge City. Through her marriage to Leon Russel Crawford and her deep involvement in church and community organizations, Winnie exemplified the strength and devotion of early twentieth-century Kansas women. Her story—woven with love, loss, and perseverance—reminds us how family ties and quiet determination shaped the generations that followed.
Biography of Winnie Letha (Currey) Crawford (1903–1992)
Early Life
Winnie Letha Currey was born on June 30, 1903, in Lansing, Leavenworth County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Hiram Miles Currey and Winifred Mae “Winnie” (Hutchinson) Currey.
In the 1905 Kansas State Census, two-year-old Winnie appeared in her parents’ household in Lansing. By 1910, the family had moved west to Twin Mound Township, Rooks County, Kansas, where six-year-old Winnie was again listed with her parents.
Her childhood took a dramatic turn in 1914, when she lived in a children’s home in Kansas City, Missouri. Despite those challenges, she went on to complete her education at the Horace Mann School in Kansas City, graduating in 1916. The following year, she lived with her Aunt Nora in North Kansas City, Clay County, Missouri, and worked in a factory, demonstrating an early sense of independence and determination.
Marriage and Family
Winnie married Leon Russel Crawford on December 24, 1919, in Dodge City, Kansas, at the home of her brother on Military Avenue. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend C. M. Gray and witnessed by close family members. A newspaper notice described her as “well known among the younger set and greatly admired by her acquaintances.”
Leon was the son of Judson Foster Crawford and Mary McGhee, a lifelong resident of Dodge City who had recently returned home after World War I military service.
The couple made their first home on Avenue A in Dodge City, where they were recorded in the 1920 census. Their early years together were filled with both joy and heartbreak.
Children
Winnie and Leon were the parents of three children:
- Betty Jean Crawford — born May 13, 1921, in Dodge City. Sadly, the infant lived only about an hour and was buried the following day at Maple Grove Cemetery.
- Eugene David Crawford — born December 8, 1927, in Dodge City. Eugene grew up there, later serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, becoming an educator, and eventually passing away in Emporia, Kansas, on September 14, 2006. He married Roberta Adell Briles in 1951.
- Leon Russel Crawford II — born November 10, 1938, at Charlotte Murray Memorial Hospital in Dodge City. Known as “Leon Jr.,” he excelled academically, receiving awards in spelling, debate, and theatre, and was active in the KAY Club and Thespian Society. He graduated from Dodge City High School in 1956 and from Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia in 1960. He was pursuing doctoral work in radiology at the University of Wisconsin when he died unexpectedly on February 10, 1961, at age 22. He rests beside his parents at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.
Life in Dodge City
From the time of her marriage, Dodge City remained Winnie’s lifelong home. The Crawfords lived at several addresses—including 510 Avenue G in the 1920s and 512 Avenue G during the 1930s and 1940s—before settling at 911 Second Avenue in later years.
Winnie was a devoted homemaker and community member. She belonged to several civic and fraternal organizations, including the First United Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Social Order of the Beauceant, and both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Auxiliaries.
From 1953 to 1958, she worked for Eckles Department Store in Dodge City, a position that connected her to many residents and reflected her dedication to both family and community life.
Later Years
Winnie remained active well into her later years. She received her Social Security number in 1953, traveled to Taos, New Mexico, and Arizona in 1959, and continued to maintain close relationships with her extended Currey family—attending a family reunion in Sedona, Arizona, in 1964.
She was honored with a 50-year membership pin from the St. Bernard Chapter No. 97 of the Order of the Eastern Star around 1970, recognizing her lifelong involvement in the organization.
Following Leon’s death in 1976, Winnie granted power of attorney to her son Eugene and continued to reside at 1914 Central Avenue. She carefully arranged for her own memorial, purchasing her tombstone in 1978.
Winnie passed away on February 11, 1992, at the age of 88, in Dodge City. She was buried beside her husband and sons in Maple Grove Cemetery. Her funeral was conducted by Hulpieu-Swaim Funeral Home, with services led by Rev. Harold P. Cooper.
Historical Context
Winnie’s life spanned nearly the entire twentieth century—an era that saw remarkable social and technological change. Born at a time when horse-drawn carriages still rolled through Kansas streets, she lived to see men walk on the moon. Her story reflects the experiences of many Midwestern women of her generation: perseverance through loss, deep ties to community, and quiet strength built through faith, family, and service.
Conclusion
From her early days in Lansing to her final years in Dodge City, Winnie Currey Crawford’s life tells the story of a woman who faced hardship with quiet courage and built a legacy of love, family, and service. Whether through her work, her devotion to community organizations, or her steadfast support of those around her, Winnie embodied the values of perseverance and kindness that define so many Kansas families. Her story not only connects the past to the present but also reminds us of the enduring strength found in everyday lives well lived.