Name: Leak Memory Chapel
Address: Montgomery, AL

Lisa and Shay,
I was a friend of Lori’s from Evangel Temple and have just learned of your parents’ passing. What wonderful, kind, humble people they were. I still have letters that she and I passed to each other during church…I was so blessed to have known them and Lori. My deepest condolences to you and your families. 

I met Gerald and Peggy while attending church with them soon after my first military assignment to Maxwell AFB in late 1980.  I've only learned today of their passing and know they are surely with the Lord.  I'll never forget the day Peggy prayed with me at the alter one Sunday and received the Holy Spirit.  Another gift they gave me was a dear and cherished friendship with their daughter Lori.  A young lady like no other and loved her dearly. I was stationed in Oklahoma at the time I learned of her passing but flew to attend her funeral.  It meant the world to them I came so far away to honor the life of their daughter. But I wouldn't have missed being there for her.  The bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  I know, as Lori, they are safely in his presence and will one day be able to see them all again that day I am no longer present with my body.  To his children and family, my heart and prayers go out to you.  On this day of all, Father's Day, what an honor it must have been to call Gerald dad. What an honor it must have been to be blessed with such wonderful people for parents.  I know the lives they touched were countless.  I will NEVER forget them and their amazing witness for Christ.  I am a better man for having known them both. 

My father, Edwin Elam, and Gerald went to high school together and then they were at Auburn, then known as API.  After graduation, they went into the Army together.  In fact, Gerald is one of the few people from Bibb County that visited my grandparent’s home outside of Gilbert SC.

As Edwin & Phyllis Elam started their family, my father thought enough of Gerald to name their second son after him.  That would be.....me.

When I entered the USAF, the Air Force decided to station me at Maxwell AFB in 1977 for 36 weeks of  training.  My father mentioned Gerald & Peggy and of course, I made it a point to stop by their business and introduced myself.  They welcomed me with open arms!  I visited their home and attended church with them.

A few years ago, we reconnected with Gerald again as my wife and I made plans to relocate to Alabama. In 2019,  my sister and I joined Peggy and Gerald at their home and brought them barbecue and dessert!  

In January,  I saw Gerald again and we visited for a few hours.  He was so looking forward to riding over to east Alabama to see our land and house.  While we’ll never get that chance, my sister and I were happy to spend time with both Peggy and Gerald re-living old memories and events from the past.  

RIP Gerald, I’ll miss you and Peggy!  

Dad went to be with the Lord, his beloved wife and their daughter, Lori, February 13, 2021. Survived by his daughters Lisa and Shay, son-in-law Russell Garner and five grandchildren; Natalie, Paige, Judson, Eric, and Lauren. Three great-grandchildren; Ty, Ryan, and Shania. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called him "Paw-Paw."

Due to Covid19, the funeral will be immediate family only. We ask that in lieu of flowers please direct any donations in his name to Evangel Church Missions, Montgomery, AL.

Gerald Winston Crews was born August 10,1933 in Centreville, AL. His parents were Cornelius Crews and Ann Carter Crews. He had three older siblings Alton, Cecil, and Doris.

He graduated from Auburn University in 1954 and married Peggy Joyce Breland in 1955. He joined the United States Army and they moved to Columbia, South Carolina where their first child was born in 1957, Shay Cynthia.

Gerald and Peggy lived in a mobile home park outside of the army base, where he put up a streetlight and became interested in the manufactured homes industry.

After his army term of service was completed, they moved to Montgomery, AL where he worked for “Montgomery Fair”, now “Dillard’s”, as a buyer for the men and boy’s department.

He built Crews Mobile Home Park in the early sixties and became a major sales dealer of manufactured homes winning a prestigious award for his sales.

Gerald and Peggy had another daughter, Lisa Carol in 1960 and another daughter in 1964, Lori Paige.

They became members of Evangel Church in 1970 where they faithfully served the Lord. Evangel Church was the center of their spiritual and social life where they saw many prayers answered and made lifelong dear friends.

Gerald went to be with the Lord, his beloved wife and their daughter, Lori, February 13, 2021. Survived by his daughters Lisa and Shay, son-in-law Russell Garner and five grandchildren; Natalie, Paige, Judson, Eric, and Lauren. Three great-grandchildren; Ty, Ryan, and Shania. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called him "Paw-Paw."

Gerald was well known for being a man of high integrity. 

“Lisa and I will be forever grateful for inheriting his values and strong work ethic. Dad loved his family unconditionally. Both dad and mom lived for Jesus with their whole heart, we cannot remember a person crossing their path without knowing what Jesus did for them. Job well done Dad.” 

Thank you for many loving memories,

Shay and Lisa



After Mrs Crews suffered a stroke I went into their home visiting them periodically. In our conversations we shared memories of the neighborhood they had a business in and I grew up in Birmingham Highway. We talked of the Lord and our favorite football teams. I saw in their home a love between a couple of many years. Mr. Crews was so attentive to Mrs Crews needs. I will have memories of them for a lifetime that has taught me the true meaning of love between a married couple. They are now together forever. 

OBITUARIO

Gerald Winston Crews

10 agosto, 1933 – 13 febrero, 2021

Leak Memory Chapel

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