Jeraldine Farr Crews, age 88, passed away peacefully at home in Wauchula, Florida, on July 19, 2024.

Jeraldine known as "Jeri" by family and friends, was born May 6, 1936, in Bartow, Florida, to Jerald and Mildred Striplin Farr and was reared in Wauchula, Florida. Jeri attended Hardee County schools and graduated as high school class valedictorian in 1954, after which she studied liberal arts and the piano intensively at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, for two years. Jeri then graduated from Auburn University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and double minors in psychology and business.

Jeri married her childhood sweetheart, James W. Crews, Jr. (Bill), in 1958 and together they had three children, Jim, Dena, and Mark, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

Jeri was, first and foremost, dedicated to her family. She made it a point to stay in close touch and be involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She was also known in her community as a leader and held many volunteer positions throughout her life, including founding member and past president of Main Street Wauchula, past president of the Hardee County Unit of the American Cancer Society, past president and board member of The Wednesday Musicale, past board of trustees member for the First United Methodist Church of Wauchula, and past board member for Hardee Memorial Hospital.

Perhaps what Jeri was best known for, however, was her passion, skill, and incredible talent for playing the piano. Starting the piano before first grade, she shared her gift through the years as the accompanist for her high school glee club, at countless weddings and other celebrations, performing solos and duets at the Wednesday Musicale, and as a First United Methodist Church pianist and soloist throughout much of her life. In recent years, she was the accompanist for the Heartland Chorale and for more than a decade played in Chorale performances with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra. She relished tackling challenging pieces of music and practiced for hours to get them just right. She was also the initiator and faithful accompanist for the annual Crews family Christmas party singalong year after year, often with a grandchild in her lap "helping" her play.

In addition to making beautiful music, Jeri was a wonderful cook, loved trying new recipes, and always made sure to feed her family well. She also enjoyed reading voraciously and learning new things, travelling to exotic places with her husband and extended family, growing beautiful orchids, and watching all sports, but particularly her beloved Auburn Tigers.

Jeraldine is predeceased by her parents and her son, James W. Crews, III (Jim). She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill, two children, Dena and Mark, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

The family will hold visitation on Friday, July 26, 9:30-11:00 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church of Wauchula, 207 North 7th Avenue, Wauchula, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the James Wilmer Crews, III Tuition Scholarship, which provides University of Florida scholarships to Hardee and Desoto County high school students. To donate, go to https://www.uff.ufl.edu/give-now , click on the "X," and in the search box type 005327 (the Fund number) to get to the designated scholarship fund.

Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements.