Stanley Crow, longtime band director from Water Valley, MS, passed away peacefully at his home April 8, 2013 surrounded by his family. Born in Ruleville, MS to the late James Eldon and Evie Lou Smith Crow, he was a retired band director from Water Valley where he devoted his entire career and touched countless lives. He was the music director for the Water Valley Community Band, First Baptist Church Handbell Choir, and a charter member of the Oxford Community Band. He also served as past president of Lion's Club, I-55 Band, North East MS Band Director's Association, and was a coordinator between the Lion's Club and the MS Lion's All State Band. In his retirement, he traveled the state performing instrument repairs and mentoring young band directors until his recent illness. Stan accumulated many awards and accolades through the years, but he was loved for his gentle spirit and well known for his strong Christian principles. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church.
Services are planned for 2 PM Thursday, April 11, 2013 at First Baptist Church in Water Valley, MS with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 5 until 8 PM in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church. Burial will follow the funeral service in Oak Hill Cemetery with Barron Caulfield, Al Davis, Larry Hart, John Mixon, Lawrence Perkins, and Keith Sanders serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommie Arendale, Ernie Aune, Curtis Berry, Larry Carr, Melvin Ford, Keith Morgan, and Larry Hart's Sunday School Class.
Stanley is survived by his wife, Becky Miller Crow of Water Valley, MS; one son, Michael J. Crow of Oxford, MS; a brother-in-law, David Miller and his wife, Joy and their children, William Katie and Robert Miller; a sister-in-law, Rosanne Miller; a brother-in-law, Doug Graham and his children, Spencer and Erin Graham and a host of close friends.
The Water Valley Lion's Club has established a memorial fund in memory of Stan Crow to endow a Lion's Band Chair for future Lion's Band Students.
Memorials may be made to Water Valley Lion's Club Memorial Fund, P.O.Box 46, Water Valley, MS; Water Valley First Baptist Church Handbells, P.O. Box 1472, Water Valley, MS; or, the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718