Roy Alvin Crow, at the age of 76, left this life to be with His Lord on Sunday, April 24, following a brief illness at his home. He was born November 23, 1939, in Kaiser, Ark., the first born son of Loyal and Mattie Lee Crow.
He grew up in Hamilton, Ala., and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1958. After graduation he went to San Diego to visit his mother and, while there, he met the love of his life, Carolyn Putman Crow. They married on June 24, 1960, and continued their love affair for the next 56 years. From this union three daughters, who he adored, were born: Cynthia L. Walker (William), Prattville, Ala.; Catherine D. Ellis (Tom), Lonoke, Ark./Shopton, Ala.; and Christina D. Wadsworth (Van), Union Springs, Ala.
In 1974 they returned to Hamilton where he started his own plumbing and electrical business.
They moved to Prattville in 1979 where he and Carolyn opened the Bonanza Steak House. In 1981, he found his true passion, selling cars with Bama Volkswagen in Montgomery. He continued in the car business working at Jack Ingram Motors for 28 years before moving to Brewbaker Motors where he served as sales manager for Infiniti.
He retired in 2003 and joined his wife selling books for Books Are Fun before his final retirement in 2015.
He is survived by eight grandchildren: Walter Ellis (Brittney), Lonoke, Ark.; Mary Margaret Wadsworth, Auburn, Ala.; Andrew Ellis, Fitzpatrick, Ala.; Emily Ellis, University of Alabama; Matthew Walker, Auburn University; Hannah Walker, Prattville, Ala.; Jordan Wadsworth, Union Springs, Ala.; and Drew Wadsworth, Union Springs, Ala. He is also survived by three great grandchildren: Harper, Bentley, and Hadley Ellis.
He was an active member of the church of Christ throughout his life, serving as a deacon and later an elder. He volunteered many hours building church buildings in Milpitas, Calif., Hamilton, Ala., and Millbrook, Ala. He led singing until his final days and was active in training the youth through programs such as Lads to Leaders and Southeast Leadership for Christ. He loved children and worked tirelessly with summer camps for the Nehemiah House, Montgomery Inner City and Common Ground ministries. Many children called him “papa” and they were all well-loved.
He will be laid to rest at the Stoney Point church of Christ, 412 County Road 40E, Deatsville, Ala. at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 28. Visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m. His grandsons and nephews will serve as pall bearers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stoney Point Church of Christ song book fund, PO Box 220288, Deatsville, Ala., 36022.
