Phyllis Gail Crowley

Phyllis Gail (Stephens) Crowley, age 82, of Riverview, Florida, went Home to be with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 18th, 2025 at her home, surrounded by loved ones.

Gail was preceded in death by the Love of her Life, James Harold Crowley, born in Midland City, Alabama, whom passed away on June 5th, 2008 after 43 years of marriage; As well as her one and only precious son, Kevin Patrick Crowley, whom was killed at the age of 24 in an automobile accident in Brandon, Florida in 1994. She is survived by a daughter, Vicki Michele Crowley of Riverview, Florida. Her Three Precious Grandsons, “her boys” as she lovingly called them. Michael Wilt and his beautiful wife, Sine, of Thompsons Station, Tennessee; Kevin Wilt of Thompsons Station, Tennessee; and Aaron Wilt of Riverview, Florida. Two Great-Grandsons, Poet Richard Wilt, 4 years old, and Matisse Avram Wilt, 4 months old of Thompsons Station, Tennessee. One sibling, a brother, William Alva Stephens (Marian) of Penny Farms, Florida. Two nephews, Luke Stephens (Susanna) of Green Cove Springs, Florida; Brian Stephens of Largo, Florida; One Niece, MaryAnne Stephens Smith (Cris) of Leavenworth, Kansas; Four sister-in-laws, Dorothy Pratt (Gene) of Dothan, Alabama; Carol Jenkins of Wesley Chapel, Florida; Betty Knight of Brandon, Florida; Ann Jolls (Jim) of Dothan, Alabama.

Gail was born March 10, 1943 in Tampa, Florida to James Murray Stephens of Tampa FL and Mary Lee Gunter Stephens, of Bethlehem, GA. The youngest of four children that have all, but one, preceded her in death. James Ray Stephens of Tampa, Florida; Charles Edward Stephens of Riverview, Florida; Gail attended Oak Park Baptist Church, Tampa Florida as a child with her family. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Elementary Education from the University of South Florida; She once again returned to higher education, while her two young children were in Elementary school and received her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Tampa. She retired after teaching Third Grade Elementary English at Wimauma Elementary School after Thirty-Five Years.

James and Gail were passionate about and avid aviation enthusiasts. She and her husband, James, were both Certified Small Plane Pilots with their Private Pilots Licenses and for a time, they owned a small private plane for recreational purposes that they loved! They spent most weekends at Brandon Airport, which her sister-in-law, Dorothy Pratt, formerly of Brandon, owned with her husband, Gene. It was a family affair, bringing both of us children along to watch planes flying in and out, and visiting with their friends, family and fellow pilots. Gail was a member in a Women's flying club called “The Flying Ladybugs” that would fly to different locations monthly and meet, eat and socialize. James and Gail, would go every year to Sun-N-Fun Fly In located in Lakeland, Florida and volunteered to feed the pilots that flew in and enjoy their friends and family while admiring all the airplanes.

James and Gail were also very passionate about their church and attended every week with both of their children. Gail was a Sunday School Teacher and loved educating children about the love of Jesus Christ and how to get into Heaven someday to be with him. Gail loved her church and church family and friends with all her heart! She is the definition of a “peacemaker” from the Holy Bible. She never had a bad word to say about anyone and her Faith was as big as the ocean and the first words of advice she would give, if asked about a problem, would be, have Faith always, and it will work out. Her Faith in GOD was the most obvious spiritual gift that she embodied and relied on and it was displayed the most, to the world! She was a one of a kind woman and everyone she met, loved her! Gail is surely singing with the angels in Heaven in her beautiful Alto voice right now!

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Mom on Saturday, June 14th at First Baptist Church of Riverview at 1:00PM with Public Viewing and Visitation starting one hour prior, at 12:00PM at the First Baptist Church of Riverview. The Graveside Service will follow the Celebration of Life at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, off of Hwy 60 in Brandon, Florida at approximately 3:00PM. Pastor Keith Thompson will officiate the ceremony graveside as well. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gail’s Wonderful Godly Christian Life.

The family would like to thank Dr. Antonio Zumpano, with Cornerstone Medical for his Compassionate, Loving care for Momma all through the many years. We would also like to thank Two Outstanding LifePath Hospice workers. Jessica, a Care Technician, whom would bath and pamper my Momma two times a weeks with such Attentive, and Tender Loving care that made Momma feel great, even in her condition, and RN / Midwife Hazel for the Tender, Attentive, Wonderful, Loving care that she gave my Momma on her nurse visits. The job they did while helping me care for my Momma was remarkable! A Special Thank you goes out to one of Mom’s best friends, Margie Buddemeier, whom was always there to help me and Momma when she would need to go to the hospital on so many occasions. She also visited with her all the time at the rehabilitation facilities, cheered her up, and organized church friends to bring special meals to socialize with Momma when she was able. We couldn’t have done it without her and Mom loved her so much! Thank You All!