Obituary of Edward Norfleet Crews Jr.

Edward Norfleet Crews, Jr., 98, World War II veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor and widower of Beatrice Knight Crews, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Tidelands Community Hospice House. Born on September 1, 1917, in Oxford, NC, he was a son of the late Edward Norfleet Crews, Sr. and the late Sudie Adcock Crews. Mr. Crews attended Oxford schools and graduated in 1936. On July 12, 1941, Mr. Crews entered active service in the US Army. During the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Crews was stationed at the Koneohe Naval Air Station with the Company A, 1341 Engineers. Mr. Crews had vivid memories of the attack and entire war and enjoyed sharing those memories. He was involved in most of the island hopping invasions to get the US closer to Japan and was stationed in Okinawa when Japan surrendered. Mr. Crews received many medals to include the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars, Distinguished Unit Badge, and American Defense Medal with one bronze service star. He also received an honorable discharge on September 21, 1945. Mr. Crews was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association, the American Legion Post 114 and the VFW Post 644 After his discharge from the military he attended Loisburg College and on August 15, 1946 he married the love of his life, Beatrice Knight. Mr. Crews managed several stores in the retail business and at the age of 81 retired from the Debordieu Colony Club. Mr. Crews was an active member of Wayne United Methodist Church since 1955 where he sang in the choir for many years and if he was not in church, you knew he was sick. He enjoyed fishing, birdwatching, singing, telling war stories, going to church and his favorite show was Lawrence Welk. But most of all he loved his family. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him. The family would like to thank some of his special friends, Nell and Dalton Paschal, Alvie, Eloise and Jimmy Smith, Mary Ann Hurley and Penny Sheffield. Survivors his include his two children, Steve Crews (Cheryl) of Georgetown and Susan Godwin (Sandy) of Lake City; five grandchildren, Sonya Molnar (Rob) of Florence, Ron Godwin (Leatha) of Lake City, Melissa Carsten (Bobby) of Scranton, Brook Martin (Jay) of Georgetown and Jennifer Daniels (Timmy) of Murrells Inlet; eight grandchildren, Kaitlyn, John, Kelly, Jada, Holden, Julian, Anna and Mason; one special niece, Rita Strickland (Hank) of Rocky Mount, NC; and a number of other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Beatrice Knight Crews; a son, Don Crews; a granddaughter, Katie Crews; and two sisters, Sue Heath and Sarah Coghill. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at Wayne United Methodist Church. Burial will be at 1:30 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2015 in the Lee Cemetery in Lake City. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Wayne United Methodist Church Sanctuary Memorial Fund, 621 Wayne St. Georgetown, SC 29440. Online condolences may be left at www.ridgewayfh.com Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242