Donna Kay (Ashby) Crutchfield

Donna A. Crutchfield, 70 of Brunswick Georgia passed away peacefully with her family by her bedside at Hospice of the Golden Isles on September 6, 2024, at 9:40 in the evening hours. Donna was born on February 9, 1954, at Warren A. Candler Hospital “Telfair” in Savannah, Ga, to her parents Erroll Clifton Ashby, and Frances Marie Kirby Ashby. Donna is predeceased in death by both of her parents, and her older sister Joyce Ashby Missroon. Joyce has been Donna’s guardian angel since 1976. She was of the Methodist faith, starting out as a young child until her passing. Donna graduated from Savannah High School in 1972. Her first job outside of family business was at TS Chu & Co. on Tybee Island, Ga. She also worked in Savannah at Dearing Chevrolet, and Critz car dealerships. She then went to Candler General Hospital, and Peachtree Window Company. While she was working at “The Old Candler Hospital” on Abercorn Street downtown, she was living in Chatham apartments that was attached to the hospital. She was working as a PBX operator paging all the Doctors, and nurses over the hospital sound system. Every afternoon she had to walk the hallway that attached her apartment building to the hospital, and every afternoon she had to pass by the Hospital Pharmacy Window to get to her apartment. Donna kept noticing a young 19-year-old good looking guy always working hard! Donna transferred into the hospital pharmacy in 1979 and then got the chance to have that same young man start to train her.

BEST JOB TRANSFER EVER for both Donna and for me, Jack Crutchfield Jr, the man that would become her husband 3 years later, and for the following 42 years of marriage. She changed my live forever, and oh so much for the better! We got married on May 1, 1982, at White Bluff Methodist Church in Savannah. We remained married for 42 years, 4 months, and 6 days until she was called home to Glory in Heaven. Our life together seems to have gone by in such a short time. Our advice to others is to travel while you are young enough to enjoy that time of your life! If you wait to long it can become too difficult, too hard to get around, so take those vacations and finance them if you need to do so. Just pay that bill off without any interest as you can.

Donna was a 42-year Cancer Survivor. She did have a couple of recurrences and a bone marrow transplant at Duke University Hospital in February 1989. At this time, she was fighting for her life so she could be here to raise our only child Tripp that was turning 3 years old and Donna was turning 35-year-old when in the bone marrow program while she was at Duke. Her birthday is February 9th, and Tripp’s is February 12th. Not a lot of hope was given to Donna and there was a good chance she would die while undergoing the transplant treatment. She knew she might not live to see her Son get into kindergarten, graduate from elementary school, high school, or the University of Georgia, get married to Amy Schwerzel, and to have any Grandchildren. Only by the grace of God did she live and get another 35 years and live thru every one of these life experiences. What a Blessing for all the family!

Donna spent most of her youth on Tybee Island Georgia where her grandparents had a business selling food and having a shooting gallery to win prizes. Eventually they were taken over by her parents. Donna was already working summers at the stand at the original “ The Tybrisa Pavilion Pier” before it burned down in 1967, she was 13 years old at this time. She then helped her parents as they started “Marie’s Gift Shop” on Butler St and Atlantic St. She loved that old beach house on Atlantic Street where her grandparents lived. She walked miles and miles on the beaches of Tybee Island for many years and it always had a special place in her heart. Donna moved to Brunswick GA. in 1997 due to her husband’s job opportunities. She enjoyed the beaches of Saint Simons Island, and Jekyll Island Ga her last 27 years. She would say that any day you could spend anytime at the beach was a wonderful day. She loved to watch the children and the dogs, and they all got to enjoy the beach together. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her plants on the back porch and back yard. She always had a green thumb and could make anything grow. She loved watching the birds at the feeders while setting on the back porch, or the kitchen table. She was very talented at everything she ever tried to do. In her younger years when she still had use of both of her hands, she painted some of the most beautiful pictures! She could crochet anything…including the outfit we brought our son home in from the hospital when he was born. She loves painting ceramics of any type. She enjoyed her arts and crafts that she worked on and sold to others! Our Christmas tree is just loaded with handmade ornaments that Donna painted, crocheted, needle pointed, along with all other types as well. Our tree is always full before we ever hang any store-bought ornament. The lamps on both bedside tables she made. We have these items at our home, and we get to cherish them every day. She enjoyed cooking and baking. She loved to take family trips when Tripp was young. When we got a little older, she really enjoyed the trips to Washington DC, and Key West.

Donna is survived by her devoted husband of 42 years Jack Barry Crutchfield Jr, and her only child Jack Barry Crutchfield III “Tripp” and his wife Amy, and their two children Claire Elizabeth, and Connor Barry Crutchfield, of Suwanee Georgia. She is also survived by her close cousin Gary Ashby of Savannah, and several other cousins, and five nephews.

Special thanks and appreciation go out all the staff of SGHS Hospital 3rd Floor, Saint Simons Island Tower / Orthopedic and Spine Center. SGHS other employees from Nutrition, Housekeeping, and the cafeteria reached out in special ways also. The family would like to also thank all the employees of Hospice of the Golden Isles. Your help thru the last stages were wonderful. Both medical facilities showed Donna and her family so much care and attention, and it will always be remembered.

Special thanks also to two primary physicians Dr. John Blumer who has taken great care of Donna for many years, and his entire staff. Donna just thought the world of Dr. Blumer! We also want to thank Dr. Lori Trefts her Neurologist and her entire staff as well!

Her favorite role was that as Grandma to our two precious grandchildren, Claire Elizabeth 6 years, and Connor Barry 4 years. They were, and still are the light of her life, and she so enjoyed spending time with them both on visits in person, and on all the facetime calls that were made all the time. She will be able to check on them whenever she wants to from Heaven. She was so thankful that God allowed her to live to see her grandchildren. Just the sound of their voice would brighten up her day and would bring light into her eyes.

Donna struggled these last few years but kept fighting to live. A Celebration for Donna’s Life will be held later in Savannah. She did not want the typical funeral. She just asked that we let folks know that she has passed and was now in Heaven. Her earthly remains have been cremated and she is living in Heaven with the rest of her family and friends. She is a Child of God!

Donna was everything to her husband, Son, and family. She took care of absolutely everything for us all these years! Our Earthy Angel is now a Heavenly Angel, and she will continue to watch over her family from Heaven. Until we meet again in Heaven, you will always be in our hearts, and thoughts!

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to: American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org, or Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com are entrusted with the arrangements.