Flower Mound, Texas - Marleta Crim (born Johnnie Marleta Shields) was born in Greenville, TX, where she grew up and graduated from high school in 1961, enjoying her many friends and participation in the Flaming Flashes drill team. She attended East Texas State (now Texas A&M Commerce) earning her bachelor's degree in education, while being a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

After college, she taught first grade in Richardson ISD and met the love of her life, David Whitten Crim also from Greenville, on a blind date while he was a student at UT in Austin. Marleta and David married in 1969 and began a life together that took them to Galveston, San Antonio, Copperas Cove, and finally to Arlington, TX, where they resided for 47 years.

Marleta was a devoted spouse and loved being an involved mother as her children grew up. She volunteered at school and at church for various roles that revolved around children. As her children went to college, Marleta took over the billing aspect of David's anesthesia practice.

Having a variety of interests, Marleta enjoyed crafts and painting, reading biographies, traveling, attending Texas Ranger baseball games, and doting on her pet dogs. She had a heart for people, animals, and creation which meant she loved the outdoors, gardening, and working on her family's land outside of Greenville.

Marleta was preceded in death by her parents Weldon and Inez Shields.

She is survived by her spouse, Dr. David W. Crim, and children Rev. Meredith (Crim) Scruggs and spouse Gavin of Flower Mound, TX, and Dr. Chad Crim and spouse Julia of Kapaa, Kauai, as well as grandchildren Sierra and Zander Scruggs and Bray, Truett, Eliana and Erickson Crim.

A family graveside service will accompany Marleta to her final resting place at Webb Hill Cemetery in Wolfe City, TX, on November 3, 2025. A celebration of her life will be held at Flower Mound United Methodist Church, 3950 Bruton Orand Blvd, Flower Mound, TX, 75022, on November 7, 2025, at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Essential Tremor Foundation at www.essentialtremor.org or Wesley United Methodist Church in Greenville, TX at www.wesleyumcgreenville.org.