Betty Joy Crowe

Betty Joy Crowe passed away peacefully at her home on October 8, 2026. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in March of 1929, the fifth of six children of A. T. and Leila J. Carrell. She attended Ensley High School, but at the end of World War II, she married her handsome Marine, Johnny. She was a dedicated wife and a wonderful mother to her three children. Betty was a stay-at-home mom for many years who was always there for her children. Later, she managed a school lunchroom in Ohio, a job she deemed to be “the best job ever.”

Betty was a beautiful Christian mother who was a model for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved God, her family, her church, her pastor, and her many friends. Betty took pleasure in baking cookies and preparing meals for her friends and family. She always wanted to ensure that everyone was fed. Betty accumulated years of wisdom and never missed a chance to pass on her wisdom to her children, and especially to her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, watching Alabama football, and especially rooting for her Atlanta Braves. Her love of people made her always ready for a gathering of friends and family. She will be missed tremendously, but we can be comforted by the knowledge that she is now rejoicing with Jesus.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, John A. Crowe; her parents, A. T. and Leila Jewell Carrell; and her siblings, Gordon (Vivian) Carrell, John (Peggy) Carrell, Ed (Alice) Carrell, Louise McReynolds (L.W.), and Annie Ruth Carrell.

She is survived by her children, Brenda Holland (Monroe), J. A. Crowe (Pamela), and Donna Gilmore; and seven grandchildren, Christy Cochran (Lance), Jeffrey Towers (Karen), Michelle Schwiefert (Sam), Michael Crowe, Mathew Gilmore (Ashton), Jonathan Gilmore (Rebecca), and Rachel Gilmore, along with twelve great-grandchildren and their spouses and soon to be five great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the kind and compassionate caregivers with Hospice of Alabama, especially Shelby, Keisha, Toni, and Brittney.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, and honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Hutchinson-Phillips Sunday School Class.

Services will be held at First Methodist Church of Rainbow City on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Dee Dowdy officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Burial will follow the service at Southside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Methodist Church of Rainbow City.