Gloria Mae Crampton

Our mom, Gloria Crampton, passed away early in the morning of February 15, 2025 at her home in Paso Robles. She went peacefully with her daughter and her grandsons by her side. We are all heartbroken, but grateful that she can now be free of pain.

Gloria Mae Smith was born on January 10, 1931 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Clifford and Marcella Smith; later the family moved throughout Ohio and Michigan. She studied education at Michigan State University, where she met and married Lee Crampton on July 6, 1952 in Toledo, Ohio. They made their home and started a family in Midland, Michigan before moving to Palos Verdes and then Concord, California. After Lee passed, Gloria moved to Paso Robles to be close to her daughter and family.

Gloria was a social and active woman of faith. Raised a Presbyterian, when she married Lee she became a member of Midland First United Methodist Church, then Riviera United Methodist Church, and later Concord United Methodist Church and Templeton Presbyterian, making lifelong friends while serving her local community. As a dedicated member of the Order of the Eastern Star, she never turned down an opportunity to volunteer and support local youth organizations.

A gifted artisan, an avid quilter, knitter and crocheter, Gloria was a master of the knitting machine. Throughout her life, she shared her love of fiber arts, as she was always a member of (and sometimes created) local knitting groups. Those of us fortunate enough to be gifted with her creations will treasure them forever.

Gloria was an exceptional baker, gifting trays of Christmas cookies to loved ones and friends at Christmas. Her cinnamon rolls were legendary year round; both of her children would marvel at the sight of the garage deep-freeze stacked to the brim with a year’s worth of pans of her cinnamon rolls waiting to be baked.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie (Tim) Kopack of Templeton, her son, David (Lin) Crampton of Rossmoor, four grandchildren – Chris (Renee) Kopack, and Evan (Jordan) Kopack, Ali and Charlie Crampton, as well as a very special great-granddaughter (Summer), many nieces and nephews, and her sister, Karen Smith Whitmill Maxson.

Though the spark in her chest has moved on from her body, we know that she is still here with all of us, in our memories of shared experiences, and in the love that we will always feel from her. She is still here, just past that next horizon. Love you always, Mom.