Submitted by:  Dan Rich

James Albert Crews

Sept. 8, 1911 - Dec. 2, 1999

South Bend Tribune 12/5/1999

James Albert Crews, 88, of North Brookfield Street, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 1:30 p.m. on Thurs-day, Dec. 2, in the River Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in South Bend. James was born on Sept. 8, 1911, in Benton, Ark., to the late Elder Albert Jordon Crews and Betty Laura Gee, who preceded him in death. James accepted Christ at the age of 9 years old at a revival meeting conducted by his father, Elder Albert Crews and Elder Charles Palluel at the Sharon Baptist Church.

In the early 1930s, after moving to St. Louis, Mo., James united with the Fair Fax Baptist Church and worked with the Sunday School, choir and B.T.U. He was employed by the B & O Railroad and transferred to Chicago, Ill., in 1942.

While living in Chicago, James joined the Mt. Union Baptist Church where he met and later married Nancy Bennett on July 6, 1949, and then moved to South Bend. Nancy Crews preceded him in death on Dec. 3, 1984. In South Bend, James united with St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Bernard L. White, where he served faithfully as superintendent of the Sunday School department, B.T.U., and the missionary departments. He was a bass voice in the Gospel Chorus, the senior choir and the male chorus.

James was a truck driver for the Hamilton Body Shop in South Bend for 18 years. In June 1967 James moved to Baldwin, Mich., and joined Goodwill Baptist Church. There he served faithfully as treasurer for the Sunday School, Poor Saint's Funds, the choir and the Union Mission. He also served on the deacon and trustee boards. While residing in Baldwin, James operated the Phillip's 66 service station for 10-1/2 years before retiring in 1978.

In May 1989, James united in marriage with Irene Booker, who survives. On March 22, 1999, due to declining health, James moved back to South Bend, and reinstated his membership with Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. B.W. Kirk. He leaves to cherish his loving memory his wife, Irene; a sister, Laura Crews Johnson; grandchildren; great- and great-great-grandchildren; loving nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, in Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, 101 N. Adams Street, South Bend. Visitation will occur one hour prior to services. Interment in Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Arrangements entrusted to the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home.