Jean D. Crews

Jean Ellen Dempsey Crews of Greensboro, Georgia, 79, died peacefully surrounded by her family in Athens, Georgia on January 25, 2024, after a short illness.

Jean was born January 28, 1944 in Early Branch, South Carolina to Raymond and Louise Dempsey. She was one of five children growing up in the small, tight-knit community of Varnville, South Carolina. She would meet the love of her life, Charles Crews, at Georgia Southern College in 1965. They married the next year, on June 4, 1966.

Jean and Charles raised their two sons, Randy and Barry, in Conyers, Georgia. There they were members of the First Baptist Church of Conyers, where she served on the finance committee. Her business acumen was an asset to her community and in her dedicated work to her church.

After retiring from Georgia Power in Atlanta, Jean continued to work in human resources consulting, until completely retiring to take in her many passions – family, travel, art, history, community and her Bible studies at her church. Passionate about seeing the world, she and Charles would be fortunate to experience many cultures all around the globe. Jean visited all fifty states, the many countries of Europe and the United Kingdom, Israel, St. Petersburg, Russia, South America and many visits to the Caribbean. Her love of travel was punctuated by a shared passion for "cruising" with Charles, and they saw many destinations on their bucket list via ports and enjoyed all the activities that ship life brings. The English countryside, the Cotswolds, and especially Israel, held a special place in her heart.

Travel and her creative writing were only to be eclipsed by her love of family and God. After moving to Greensboro, Georgia, Jean and Charles became members of the First Methodist Church of Greensboro at Lake Oconee, and she was a member of the CBS Bible Study Group and an active member of the Harbor Club Ladies League. Through her memberships and volunteerism, Jean was an active community leader, and a dear friend to so many. Jean's love of family was felt by all. As members of her family, we know she held us all close. Friends became family, and strangers became friends. She was kind and generous of spirit to all. And most of all, she loved being a grandmother "Nana" to Taylor and Nicholas.

Jean is survived by her husband of 59 years, Charles; Sons, Randy and his wife Angela, of Colorado; Barry, and his wife Heather of Buckhead, Georgia. Grandchildren, Taylor and her husband Landon Pruitt of Hokes Bluff, Alabama; and Nicholas Crews, of Buckhead, Georgia. Siblings, brother, Buddy Dempsey, and his wife Elaine; brother, Gerald Dempsey, and his wife Judy; brother Tony Dempsey, and his wife, Linda; her beloved younger sister, Linda Tharin and her sister-in-law, Cathy Crews Parker, and her husband Mark. And an extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins, who will all miss her so much.

In her memory, and in her name, her family will endeavor to be kind, thoughtful and generous to all, just as she was in life. Jean was a beacon of light in this world, and her open heart contributed to all the good in her community.

Services will be held at Sand Hill Baptist Church in Varnville, South Carolina on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 1:00 PM.  Visitation with the family will be in the Fellowship Hall at 12:00 PM. Graveside burial will follow the service. (15480 Pocotaligo Road, Varnville, SC 29944)

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at the First Methodist Church of Greensboro-Lake Oconee on Thursday, February 1st, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Visitation with family in Fellowship Hall at 1:00 PM. (Lake Oconee Campus, 4741 Carey Station Road, Greensboro, GA 30642)

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jean's memory to the Sand Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Margaret Mathis, 303 Crooked Creek Road, Hampton, South Carolina 29924.