Hazel Elizabeth Nelson Crews, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away on Nov. 3, 2014, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach.
She is survived by her daughters, Hazel Lynn Crews and Michele Crews Murray (Mark); her nephew, Bill C. Law (Wanda); and her two grandchildren, Elizabeth Murray and Andrew Murray.
She was born July 18, 1926, in Vero Beach to Charles and Mamie Nelson and graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1944, where she was Salutatorian, President of the Senior Council, Member of the National Honor Society, and Editor of the Arrowhead. In 1945, she married Standish L. Crews, and they were married for 66 years.
She had a long-time work association with Merrill Barber beginning in high school when she had a part-time job working at Barber and Son Feed Store. In 1949, she began working at the Indian River Citrus Bank and became Administrative Assistant to the president, Merrill Barber, in 1960. She later was named vice-president, serving in that capacity until her retirement in 1982.
Crews was very active in the community, serving as president of the Indian River Historical Society and on the board for the Community Concert Series. During her tenure with the Historical Society, the Vero Railroad Station was added U.S. National Register of Historic Places and moved to its present location. She was an active member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and served on the committee for the 75th Anniversary Celebration.
Visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Strunk Funeral Home, and the funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14 at First Baptist Church, Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hazel N. Crews Scholarship Fund at Indian River State College.
