Front page of the Poteau News, Poteau, OK, Thursday February 1946
Crews Services Held Wednesday, Widely Known Resident Dies Here Last Sunday
Thomas Montgomery Crews, one of Poteaus' oldest and best known citizens was buried yesterday afternoon in the Oaklawn Cem following services at 1:30 in the First Baptist Church of Poteau. Death came last Sunday from complications attending a chronic stomach ailment.
An ordained Baptist minister for nearly half a century, he had retired some years ago as an active pastor but continued with church organizations and services until death. In later years in Poteau he had operated a taxi in his varied careers, had been a nursery stock-man, and ten years a justice of the peace. He was also a member of the Masonic order. In the past few years he had helped organized the Southside Baptist Church of Poteau, one of the most active and fast growing churches in the state.
He was born 74 years ago in Water Valley, MS, and moved to Poteau in 1920 from Stigler.
Officiating at the service was Reverend Murl Walker, of the Southside Baptist Church aided by Reverend Jim Kincannon of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors in clude his wife Mrs. T.M. Crews, six daughters, Mrs. Clark Clement, Stigler, Mrs. Henry Tiner, Long Beach, CA., Mrs. Jessie Oslin, Washington DC, Mrs Earl Vrendenburg, Mandan, North Dakota, Mrs. David Stodsdill, Duncan, OK, and Miss Naomi Crews, Washington, DC. Two sons, Rufus Crews, Little Rock, Ark., and Roland Crews, Heavener, OK.
The Hall funeral home of Poteau was in charge of all arragements.
Active pallbearers were: Amos Rowley, Steve Garrett, Ralph Williams, Leland Hardesty, Woodrow Turman and Herbert Turman. Honorary pallbearers were, R.H. McCafferty, J.W. Thompson, Juston Ingle, J.H. Hale, Perry Bolger, and Louis Peck.