Barbara Ewing Crews

Celebration of life for Barbara Ewing Crews will take place 3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. The family will greet friends from 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2019 also at the mortuary.

Barbara was a life-long Lawrence native, born February 28, 1926, the daughter of A.B. and Sally (Winsby) Ewing. She married Raymond E. Crews, Jr. on September 3, 1948 and he preceded her in death on March 30, 2005. They were devoted to each other throughout their marriage and had been married for 56 years when Ray died.

She was also preceded in death by her brother Allan Ewing, and sisters, Blossom Ewing Randall and Mildred Ewing Frakes. She is survived by her brother Roger (Clarice) Ewing of Overland Park, KS.

Family was very important to Barbara. She and Ray had four children: Chip Crews of Washington, DC, Penny (Allen) Crews Seay of Austin, TX, Jenny (Randi) Crews Ruark of Raytown, MO, and Byron Ewing Crews of Shakopee, MN. She was eager for grandchildren and had five: Emily Seay, Eleanor (David) Seay Avery, Laurel Seay, Bridget Ruark, and Tucker Ruark, her favorite grandson and birthday twin. When their first grandchild was born, Barbara and Ray created a banner for the garage that said, “Emily Elizabeth Seay we’ve waited a long time for you!” She also has four great-grandchildren so far: Cameron James and Kennedy Grace (Emily) and Madison Ray and Everett James (Eleanor and David). We know that future great-grandchildren will also know their BaBa and how much she loves them. Also very much a part of her family were two beloved pugs, Ling who died in 2013, and Cooper who joined her that year.

Barbara was a natural teacher both of the practical (how to rewire a lamp) and of life (how to live well). She was also a learner and was infinitely curious about almost everything. She was a wonderful cook and unafraid to try new things, even when they didn’t turn out quite like she hoped as happened with the peanut butter, soy sauce, and pork tenderloin recipe, which she said sounded so horrible it had to be good. It was in fact so bad that Jenny received three letters in France from Barbara, Byron, and even Ray confirming that it was not at all good.

Education was important to her and she served as president of the PTA at Woodlawn Elementary School for two terms. She served on the Lawrence Library board for two terms as well. We read a lot in our house, and Barbara read nearly to the end of her life. It became difficult for her to read books in print both because of the size of the print and because of the weight of the books themselves, but she continued reading electronic books on the Kindle. She avidly watched the news and paid close attention to politics.

Barbara was our biggest fan, our biggest cheerleader in all things. She always told us we could do anything and do it well. She had an enormously large heart and loved deeply and fully. She is deeply missed.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association Hospice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.