Lawrence M. Crews

With heavy hearts, the Crews family announce the passing of their beloved patriarch, Lawrence Moody Crews, on the evening of June 20th, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home as he peacefully passed from this world.

Lawrence is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorris (Watts); two sons and two daughters: Kevin (Caroline), Kathy Brown (Christopher), Kendal (Jennifer) and Kristen Ryder (Erik); seven grandchildren: Kelsey, Rachel, Hannah, Evan, Lauren, Carson, and Deuce and one great-grandchild: Avery, with another on the way. A sister also survives him: Rebecca Crews Polk.

He is preceded in death by his parents Calton Monroe Crews and Amanda Mae Dampeer Crews as well as a sister Mary Jean Crews Saulters.

No one has loved their family more than Lawrence. All love and effort was for them. He was the pillar of support, the lighthouse of guidance, and the shoulder to cry on for all of us. Dad to his children, Pop to his grandkids, Poppa Crews, “that old man”, all the names affectionately given; he will be missed more than words can express. He touched the lives of so many people along the way.

Lawrence was a life-long member of the Methodist Church where he dedicated his talents and countless hours of time and sweat. He was an accomplished singer taking part in the respective choirs, performing at weddings and funerals, as well as secular productions. At St. Matthew’s United Methodist, where he’d been in the congregation since 1965, he might be best remembered for keeping the grounds which he did expertly and with great joy.

Lawrence was a proud Navy veteran serving primarily on a destroyer in Europe and the Middle East in the 1950s after training in the Naval Reserves at Mississippi Southern College, now University of Southern Mississippi, where he attended and graduated. He loved the USM Golden Eagles and followed them fervently. His love for the Saints was undeniable, too! His 32-year career with Delta Air Lines was a great source of pride where it seems he did everything for the company over the years aside from actually flying the plane.

Lawrence’s ashes will be interred at his cemetery plot in his beloved hometown of Columbia, MS at a future date yet to be determined. Honoring his love for the Saints, it is asked that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to teamgleason.org if one so wishes.