J.B. Crew, 92, a long-time resident of Tallassee, passed away on July 20 in Alpharetta, Ga., surrounded by his family.

He was preceded in death in December 2007 by his wife of 66 years, Nell Traywick Crew; brothers Dewey Crew, Duffie Crew and Herman Crew of Clanton, LJ Crew of Auburn, Raybon Crew of Cedartown, Ga.; sisters Sadie Crew Varner and Lettie Crew Powell of Clanton, and Estelle Crew and Ruby Crew of Cairo, Ga.
J.B. was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his two children, Jill Crew Miller (Ken) of Birmingham and J.B. (Jack) Crew Jr. (Anne) of Alpharetta; three grandchildren, J.B. (Jason) Crew III (Kinsee) of Brentwood, Tenn., Lee Miller of New York City, and Kelly Crew Masters (Josh) of Alpharetta; one great-grandchild, J.B. (Brooks) Crew IV of Brentwood; sister Clara Crew Smith of Clanton; sister-in-law Ruth Crew of Clanton; nephew Phillip Dixon of Dallas; and numerous other special nieces and nephews.

J.B. was born on May 29, 1917 in Cairo to J.I. and Queenie Crew. He was one of 11 siblings. When he was 12, the family moved to Clanton where they owned and operated Crew Brothers Produce Company. While living in Clanton he met his wife, Nell, and they were married there in 1941. After serving time in the U.S. Army during World War II, he, along with his brother, LJ, expanded Crew Brothers Produce to Tallassee in 1948. He continued to run the business for 34 years until he retired in 1982.

Music was a lifelong love and as a young adult J.B. and three of his siblings formed a gospel quartet and performed at many area churches. A faithful member of First Baptist Church, Tallassee, he served as a deacon, sang in the choir for many years and was an original member of the “Baraca Class Quartet.” He continued to attend church and his beloved Baraca Sunday School class until very recently. He loved attending his children and grandchildren’s activities and was active in the Tallassee Little League Association while Jack was growing up. In December 2001, on their 60th anniversary, J.B. and Nell were presented with a key to the city by Mayor Bobby Payne. They were recognized as exemplary citizens and for J.B.’s contributions to the business community.

The family would like to thank his faithful caregivers, Mrs. Inell Ray, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Roberts and Ms. Daisy Adamson for the loving care that they provided during his last years.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 22 from 5-8 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Linville Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Tallassee with the Rev. Derek Gentle officiating. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. in Martin Memorial Cemetery, Clanton. Donations may be made in his memory to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 780368, Tallassee, AL 36078.