Leonard James Crews

Nahunta – Leonard James Crews, 89, died peacefully at home in Nahunta, GA on Tuesday (July 9, 2024), while under hospice care following an extended illness. 

Leonard was born in Screven, GA on February 2, 1935 to parents Russell Jones Crews and Lizzie Snead Crews. Leonard grew up in Hortense, GA  and graduated from Nahunta High School in 1953. Leonard was a 1957 graduate of the University of Georgia, with a BBA degree and major in accounting. He was retired from the federal government Defense Logistics Agency where he was involved in the pricing and financial analysis area of procurement for the armed services. 

Leonard’s first marriage was to Winnie Ann Jones Crews of Ellijay, GA. After Winnie’s death in 1999, he married Carolyn Higginbotham Thomas Crews of Nahunta, in 2007. Their marriage brought them comfort and companionship after both losing their beloved first spouses to cancer. 

Leonard is survived by his wife of 17 years, Carolyn Thomas Crews of Nahunta, GA; brother, Eugene Crews (Alice) of Albany, GA; son-in-law, David Schonleber (Tami); 3 grandchildren, Caitlin Schonleber Hancock (Charles) of Woodstock, GA, Trevor Schonleber of Woodstock, GA and Devin Schonleber (Courtney) of Dallas, GA; 5 great grandchildren, Kennedi, Jace and Coen Schonleber of Dallas, GA, Chip and Colton Hancock of Woodstock, GA; bonus children, James Ernest “Ernie” Thomas (Heidi) of Nahunta, GA and Cara Thomas Highsmith (Simeon) of Warner Robins, GA; 5 bonus grandchildren, Jameson Thomas of Nahunta, GA, Brett Thomas (Mary Katherine) of Blackshear, GA, Jordan Highsmith (Amy), Ciara Highsmith and Chelsea Highsmith all of Warner Robins, GA; compassionate caregivers, Lexi Pollard, Melanie Dixon and Vanessa Thomas.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Jones Crews and Lizzie Snead Crews of Hortense, GA; first wife, Winnie Ann Jones Crews of Ellijay, GA; daughter, Sheri Denise Crews Schonleber of Acworth, GA; son, Roger Alan Crews of Covington, GA; and a bonus great grandson, James Highsmith of Warner Robins, GA.

Leonard was a member of Southside Baptist Church of Nahunta.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Saturday (July13, 2024) starting at 2pm at Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta, GA. 

A funeral service will be held Saturday afternoon (July 13, 2024) at 3pm at the chapel of Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta with Rev. Phillip Cochran and Bro. Ernie Thomas officiating. 

Burial will be held Monday afternoon (July 15, 2024) at 1:30pm at Green Lawn Cemetery, 950 Mansell Rd Roswell, GA 30046. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.