SOUTH PARIS — Eve Hamblen (Moses) Crumpton, 89, died early Saturday, Dec. 10, at Market Square Health Care Center.

She was born April 5, 1922, to her parents, Wilbur M. Moses and his wife, Eva L. (Hamblen) Moses in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her father was working for Pratt Institute from which he’d recently graduated. As soon as possible, Eve was brought in a laundry basket, home to her grandfather Hamblen’s farm in Gorham. Thus coming home to Maine began, becoming a habit, every chance she got when she was away.

Her father followed soon after building the house on Queen Street, where she was raised. She attended Gorham schools, graduating from Gorham High School as class valedictorian in 1941, having also starred on the basketball team. She attended Gorham Normal School, now USM, graduating with the Class of 1945.

She taught in elementary schools for the next five years, first in York Village, 1946 to 1947, then in Kyoto American School, Kyoto, occupied Japan. While in Japan, she met Ensign John R. Crumpton Jr., U.S. Navy of Starkville, Miss., who was serving on a destroyer of the Occupation Forces. When the Korean War erupted, Eve’s school year was complete and she was enroute home to Maine via a U.S. Army Transport ship to Seattle. John’s deployment had terminated and his destroyer was enroute to San Diego. On debarking in Seattle, Eve was given a telegram from John and she diverted to San Diego. They were married there on July 8, 1950.

After a hurried overhaul, refitting and crew retraining, John’s ship deployed to Korea in early November. Eve having had her first driving license for three weeks, drove their new car home to Maine via Mississippi, where she met her in-laws for the first time. Wow! Thus began her career as a military wife.

Six ships including two deployments to Korea and two to Vietnam, nine shore stations including one in Vietnam, 20 shared addresses and 25 years later, John retired from the Navy with the rank of captain. Eve had given him sterling support as a military wife, a tough and difficult role.

They came home to Maine, moving into their Oxford home in October 1975; Eve continuing in a support role.

Eve was one of eight compilers of the Oxford Historical Society book, a pictorial history of Oxford, inspired and led by Margaret Ellsworth in honor of her late husband, Red.

Eve assisted her cousin, Almery R. Hamblen Sr. by copying in long hand entries from 14 diaries of their grandfather, Albert Marquis Hamblen, spanning the years 1876 to 1939, which he later published (not all diaries could be found), a long and difficult task.

Eve had a strong faith and supported the Oxford Congregational Church, attending regularly and washing many church supper dishes.

Eve marveled at the wonders of our natural world and was a member of the Twin Town Nature Club. Their mission, to study the various departments of nature and share knowledge gained with others, was in complete accord with her belief. She liked hiking with the club and others, but preferred to poke along stopping to study and observe all the little things beneath our feet as well as distant beauty.

Eve is survived by John, her husband of 61 years; her sister, Catherine Marden of Albion; and 23 nieces and nephews and their issue.

She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Octavia Beasley; and a niece, Nancy Marden.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.