James Dabney Crews, Sr.

James Dabney Crews, Sr. was born on October 23, 1936, in Buckingham County, VA
and was called home by Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior on October 26, 2025. He had
just celebrated his 89 th birthday and passed peacefully at his home of birth, surrounded
by family. Dabney loved his God, his family and his community and served them all well.
Those who knew him, loved him and have confidence that he was greeted at the pearly
gates with the words from Matthew 25:23. “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter
into the joy of your lord.”
Dabney was predeceased by his parents, Harry A. Crews and Bessie S. Crews, his
sister Christine Crews Eades, his brothers Eugene Crews, Houston Crews, Jesse
Crews and Cabell Crews. His legacy and impact on his family, friends and community
will live on and he is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, June Baird
Crews, his son, James Dabney Crews, Jr. (Jill), daughters Ellen Crews Hudgins (Terry),
Debra Crews Cairns (Trae), grandchildren James Dabney Crews, III (Bailey), Thomas
Houston Hudgins, Jesse Clark Hudgins, Alexis Cairns Ferraro (Victor), great
granddaughter Charlotte June Crews and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dabney began his professional career in the telecommunications industry, initially
working as a lineman and technician for C&P Telephone. He rose to supervisor and
ultimately district manager in a career filled with company mergers and acquisitions that
spanned 35 years before he retired from Nokia.
Always putting others first, Dabney and June moved back to Dabney’s family
homeplace in Buckingham County after his retirement, where they cared for his mother,
Bessie Crews and his brother, Houston (Chap) Crews. Dabney had a passion for
farming and for John Deere tractors and spent the better part of the past 36 years riding
those tractors, working the land and raising black Angus cattle.
Dabney and June have been active, lifelong members of Mulberry Grove Baptist Church
in Buckingham County where Dabney served as a deacon. You could always count on
them to be at the church whenever the doors opened. Dabney also served on the
Buckingham County Planning Commission for 23 years, demonstrating his love for the
county and providing years of wisdom and knowledge. Dabney was raised as a Master
Mason of Buckingham Masonic Lodge 242 in 1958 and was a dedicated Mason, serving
as: Worshipful Master of Buckingham Lodge 242, Secretary of George Lodge 32,
District Deputy Grand Master of District 17 and Grand Senior Steward of Grand Lodge
of VA. He was also a 32° Mason in the Richmond Valley, Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite of Freemasonry.
Despite numerous health setbacks, Dabney lived a full life and was able to fulfill his
wish of being born and dying in his family home. Up until two days before he passed, he
was still asking about the farm, the cattle and wondering if there was going to be
enough hay for the cattle this winter. He was a legend, and one cannot think of him

without a smile, remembering his giving spirit, his quick (not always politically correct)
wit and his unconditional love. He will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank those who cared for Dabney so well in his last years.
There are many family members as well as friends from his community, church and
Masonic Lodge who have consistently called, visited, sent cards and brought food and
you lifted his spirits and made him feel loved.
He could not have fulfilled his wish to remain at home without the love and care of
Robert and Jackie Akers, family friends who came to live with and care for Dabney and
June. With Jackie’s passing, Robert has unselfishly remained by Dabney’s side, through
grief and health issues of his own. Dabney was also blessed by Cora Bartee who has
tirelessly and lovingly cared for Dabney, Alma White who has been a steadfast friend
and caregiver and Trudy Davidson. Dabney also had a trusted farmhand and sparring
partner in Edward Eugene Booker, Jr. who helps on the farm and tended to Dabney
personally.
To say Dabney was blessed is a fact. To say we were blessed by him is an
understatement. Ride that John Deere tractor on to glory, Dabney. When the roll is
called up yonder, we know you will be there, and you have countless family members
waiting to greet you.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mulberry Grove Baptist
Church c/o Jay Jones, 1788 Howardsville Road, Buckingham, VA 23921 or online:  https://www.mulberrygrovebaptistchurch.com/give