Cleveland Crews, Jr.

Obituary For Cleveland Crews, Jr.

Cleveland Crews, Jr. was born April 11, 1945 in Henry County, Alabama to Cleveland “Buddy” Crews, Sr. and Dora Brown Crews.

Deacon Crews was a lifelong member of Little Rocky Mt. Freewill Baptist Church in Tumbleton, AL. He served on Church Deacon Board for 50 plus years. Cleveland was a praying man of great faith; sharing the word to comfort many in need of prayer.

Early years, Cleveland exemplify strong work ethics from dairy farming to construction as a skilled mason. It was masonry where he found his footing under the workmanship of his father, Cleveland Crews, Sr., A. Z. Stanely and his elder brother, Archie. A true craftsman, brother Cleveland bricked new homes across the Wiregrass area for several decades including Florida Gulf Coast Regional. In the late 1990s, his son, Cleveland Crews, III would join him to become a high in demand mason duo (father/son) force. As his health declined, brother Cleveland eased into retirement. After retiring, he became a community star at Webb Community Store. Folks from the area could not wait to chat with him on the store’s bench. His grand smile, laughter and wisdom would set the tune to start their day. Cleveland was an avid Alabama Roll Tide fan, Braves fan and cheering his Lakers and 76ers. He was a father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, husband and friend to many.

Deacon Cleveland Crews, Jr., a humble man of strong faith and true craftsman of mason construction, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025 at the age of 80 at Southeast Health, Dothan, AL. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland “Buddy” Crews, Sr. and Dora Brown Crews; his wife of 56 years, Rose Mae McDonald Crews, one daughter, Ruby Lee Crews Rodgers, and a sister, Dorene (James) Flucker, his father-n-law and mother-in–law, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

He leaves to cherish his memories: Five children, Willie Anne (Johnny) Smith, Durene Walker, Teresa (Billy) Crews; sons, Cleveland (Sarah) Crews III and Abon (Shakeria) Crews; nine grandchildren, Spencer Smith, Robert Rodgers, Oliver Rodgers, Jeremy Crews, Renee Crews, Belinda Walker, Penny Walker, Tamera Crews and Jasmine Crews; 16 great grandchildren; brothers, Archie Crews and Willie (Gwendolyn) Marvin; sisters, Eva Mae (Jesse) McDonald, Dollie (Jimmy) McGowin, Della Mae Crews Marbury; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

VISITATION WAS HELD AT HORACE WILLIAMS MORTUARY FROM 4 TO 7 P.M. THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE WAS HELD ON FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2025 AT 1:00 P.M. AT ROCKY MOUNT CHURCH CEMETERY, TUMBLETON, AL.