Marjorie Beth McCrea was born April 17, 1932, to Samual Robert and Fern Love McCrea in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas. A lifelong long fondness for Western B movies, serials, and shorts began as a young child listening to her maternal grandfather tell stories of the late 1800s in Western Kansas.

While attending a young adult mixer for GIs stationed at Fort Riley Kansas, Marjorie met David F. Behan and they were married September 18,1954. After moving to Northern Illinois, they brought daughter Brenda Lee and son Scott Palmer into the world.

The family then moved to Greeneville, Tn for David to teach at Tusculum College in the mid-60s. After his passing in 1987, Marjorie moved to Maryville, Tn go be closer to family where she resided the remainder of her life.

Marge was lifelong reader, sports fan, and the preparer of many picnic lunches for frequent trips to the lakes of East Tennessee. She was a ceramics instructor at the newly established and renovated Roby Adult Center for many years as well as a multi-gallon-blood bank donor. She belonged to the American Association of University Women and the Andrew Johnson Club while living in Greeneville. After moving to Maryville, she began several years of tutoring both English as a Second Language and preparation for the United States naturalization test. Marge began volunteering at the Blount County Public Library in the early 90s and continued until the end of last year. She had a long and full life and was blessed by her many friends over the years.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, her older sister, Marylin M. Siefert (Donald Seifert) and younger brother James R. McCrea (Gurtha McCrea) sister-in-law Karen McCrea.

She is survived: by daughter Brenda Behan and Ken Eckert, granddaughter Rebecca Eckert and grandson Steven Farley and Katie Eckert and great grandson Teddy. Her son Scott Palmer and Barbara Veley Behan, granddaughter Sarah and Paul Smith, great granddaughter Holland McCrea Smith; Brothers-in-law Richard and Ann Behan and family. Corvallis, Or and Tom and Gail Behan and family, Seattle, Wa.; Nieces and nephews and grand such: Michel and Julie Seifert and family, Springfield Mo, Leslie Seifert and Jay Cady, Haz Cady, and Maggie Cady and Chris Simpson, Rhode Island, Mark and Betsey McCrea and family of Des Moines Ia David McCrea and family, Payola Ks

A graveside service will be conducted at Shilo Cemetery in Tusculum, Tn later in the Fall.

Donations of remembrance would be welcome at any library, animal shelter, or charity of your choice. Condolences may be shared at Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, 865-983-1000, www.smithfuneralandcremation.com.