Nashville
Janice “Kay” Crabtree, 73, went to be with the Lord on December 14, 2016, in her winter hometown of Fort Myers, Florida. Larry and all five of their kids were with her to love her on to eternity.
Kay is survived by her husband of 40 years, Larry Crabtree, and their children, Preston and Terri Crabtree, Greg and Karen Miller, Robin and Monte Pugh, Stacia and Mike Kelly and Ben and Courtney Crabtree. They had 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to their delight.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents Lester “Bill” and Beulah Jean Kelley Percifield, and one infant grandson.
Nashville, Indiana, was Kay’s hometown her whole life. She was active in school clubs and activities, developing a strong and lasting network of friends which led to a lifetime of community and church involvement. Kay graduated from Nashville High School in 1961 and attended Indiana University. She worked for the Brown County School System as a speech and hearing therapist aide, for the U.S. Census Bureau, for Nashville Christian Church as secretary, and as the administrative pastor at New Life Community Church.
She was a founding member of the Psi Iota Xi chapter in Nashville. Kay and Larry enjoyed outings with the Corvette Club in Columbus, Indiana, in recent years. Together they developed and served in several ministries at New Life, including the Ministry Team, small groups, the Praise and Worship team, women’s/men’s ministries, several Bible studies, the elder’s board and special events.
Kay leaves a legacy of family anchored by laughter and acceptance, faith that was deeply personal and freely shared and wholehearted investment in community and relationships.
A celebration of life service will be held at New Life Community Church on Saturday, April 29 at 10 a.m. There will be a time for family and friends to visit on Friday, April 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., also at New Life.
Gifts to honor Kay’s memory may be made directly to either of these organizations: Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, or New Life Community Church, P.O. Box 654, Nashville, IN 47448, for Building Expansion Fund.
