Vernon L. Crews

Vernon L. Crews, age 92, of Folkston, Georgia, laid eyes on his Savior on Monday morning, February 19^th. Anyone having ever met Papa or Mr. Vernon, as he was known around town, already knew of his close personal relationship with the Lord. His deep faith will be a characteristic he will forever be known for, right alongside his love for his family. 

Vernon graduated from Charlton County High School in 1949 and later enlisted in the Air Force. While attending Aircraft & Engine school he met and married California girl, Elizabeth Lou Lynch, at The First Christian Church in Santa Monica, California. They married there two years later and had three children on two different miliary bases within five years: Patti, Jon, and Sheri.

After serving twenty years in the Air Force, and several more years as a civil servant at Robins Airforce Base in Warner Robins, Vernon and Betty settled back on his family homestead when he took a new role as the Road Superintendent for Charlton County. They enjoyed the fellowship at First Baptist Church Folkston, serving on the Georgia-Florida Blood Alliance, and countless Model A and Aircraft shows. Mr. Vernon also owned a collection of Model A’s that he could be seen in driving around town. Vernon and Betty were married for 48 years.

His home was always filled with pictures of his life and family, and a massive collection of clocks, rain gauges, and thermometers. We assume this love came from his experience monitoring gauges on numerous aircrafts as a Flight Engineer. Throughout his 20-year career he also kept a small aircraft pilot’s license. He was a member of the Aero Club wherever he was stationed. Mr. Crews loved taking people for rides in his Piper Cub and Ultralight, just clearing the pines when they took off from his cow pasture runway.

This May, Vernon would have celebrated his 75^th high school graduation. 

Vernon is preceded in death by his wife, Betty, and son, Jon Marshall Crews. 

He leaves behind his two daughters; Patti Simmons and Sheri Weaver; four grandchildren: Jason, Courtney, Natalie, and Chase. And nine great-grandchildren; Dorian, Aleythia, Anastasia, Mia, Zoe, Ava, Crews, and Ryder. 

A service will be held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Grace Chapel Baptist Church with Bro. John Boatwright and Bro. Jason Weaver officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The family would like to thank the community of Folkston for their lifetime of friendship and care along with Grace Chapel Baptist Church, First Baptist Folkston, and Hospice Satilla of Waycross.