Velvia Crumbley

Obituary: Kannapolis, NC- Velvia Kelly Crumbley, age 95, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, May 2, 2016. She passed on at Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, NC. She was born August 30, 1920 in Richmond County, NC, the daughter of the late Leslie and Gracie Kelly. Velvia made her home in Kannapolis for over 75 years, and she was a devoted member of Franklin Heights Baptist Church in Kannapolis where she held many leadership positions including Sunday School teacher, Girl's Auxiliary Leader, and Circle Chairman. Velvia was employed with the former Terry Products, Inc., as a seamstress for twenty-nine years until her retirement in 1983. She loved to work in the kitchen, cooking, baking, and canning for family, friends, and neighbors. Her red velvet and German chocolate cakes were a favorite of countless visitors! Her love of gardening, crocheting, sewing, and crafts-and her joy in sharing these talents-touched many lives in her church and community. Velvia was known in her community for her Christian faith and her love for family and others, a strong work ethic, generosity, the importance of honesty, and a strong belief in the importance of education. As a wife, mother, sister, worker, and leader, she showed her children and those who knew her the importance of these traits. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Donald Crumbley; and one brother, Everette Kelly. Surviving are a sister, Doris Blake (Curtis) and a brother, Robert Kelly (Shirley). Velvia was a proud mother and grandmother. Survivors include her children, Larry Crumbley (Donna) of College Station, TX; Yvonne Barnhardt (Ray) of Newton, NC; and Tony Crumbley (Renea) of Charlotte, NC; seven grandchildren, Stacey Pehrson (John), Heather Simmen (Will), Dana Bushong (Mickey), Stephanie Calderon (Luis), Kelly Wright (Miles), Tate Crumbley (Norma), Tera Long (Doug); and fourteen great-grandchildren (Jacob, Ryan, Sloane, Dane, Caleb, Daniel, Nathaniel, Samuel, Bailey, Madeline, Elise, Ida, Lana). Although she came from humble beginnings, through sacrifice and effort, she provided the foundation for her children to go on to increasingly successful lives - which they then did for their own children. Velvia (Mama) left a beautiful legacy that will continue to unfold for generations. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Franklin Heights Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Revs. Joe Smith, Marcus Ollis, and Keith Cantrell. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM Thursday at the church prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Franklin Heights Baptist Church, 2000 Lane Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 or Beth Eden Lutheran Church, 400 N. Main Avenue, Newton, NC 28658 or to the charity of the donor's choice. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com, Kannapolis, NC who is serving the family.
Visitation: 1:30-2:45 PM Thursday May 5, 2016 Franklin Heights Baptist Church

Service: 3:00 PM Thursday May 5, 2016 Franklin Heights Baptist Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, NC