James Crowley

JAMES CROWLEY

Funeral services for Mr. James Crowley, age 83 of Fayette, were held Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at 3 p.m. from Nelson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Randy Raper and Nedra Deerman officiated. He died  Saturday, Aug. 29, at his residence.
James was born to Edd and Neely Crowley on July 22, 1943. He grew up working hard and serving others. In 1964 he met and married the apple of his eye, Betty Tidwell.They were married for 62 years. In 1966, they were blessed with their only child, Stacey. She brightened his life with the love she gave him.
James worked a few jobs before making his 30 plus career in the bread business with Flowers Bakery. He started out as a debit route bread salesman, then to the district manager,  onto becoming the Division Manager. He the retired from the bakery in 1990. He spent the rest of his “part time” retirement running the “Thrift Store” in Fayette for several year until full retirement at 62. This opened up the new life of hunting and fishing all the time.
His greatest joy was his grandchildren, Jamie Thomas, Brad Cannon, and Truman Cannon. Always present for school and church programs, school lunches, ballgames and always pushing them to do their best. He was very proud of each one of them. As he was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Carter Thomas and Addie Thomas that he adored, always being the best Papa he was.
He was a faithful servant of his Lord and Savior serving to the needs to the extended family and the community. James, Wayne Gilreath and Otto Bohannon committed to opening  back up the doors at Wesley Chapel in 1984. He also helped the organization in Fayette-FayCom helping construct and place wheelchair ramps for those in need around Fayette County.
He helped start up the local Turkey Federation Organization in Fayette and was known to be a very successful turkey hunter. Guiding and teaching others to enjoy the thrill and love that he had in hunting for the big one.
Special love and thank you goes out to our loving caregiver Nona Koster, what a special bond they had. Her daily presence was greatly appreciated during the past three weeks. As our other caregiver Kim Monroe, always working so patient and caring for him during the nights.
James would encourage everyone to submit yourselves to God and join him in Heaven.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Edd and Conelia “Neely” Newman Crowley; brother and sister-in-law, Max Crowley (Jane); and parents-in-law, John and Marie Tidwell.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Betty Crowley of Fayette; daughter, Stacey Crowley Cannon (Keith) of Fayette; grandchildren, Jamie Thomas (Josh), Brad Cannon and Truman Cannon; and great-grandchildren, Carter Thomas and Addie Thomas.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Crawford, Scott Foster, Zack Foster, Fred Yerby, Jason Nelson, Don Brasher and Stanley Rushing.
Active pallbearers were Brad Cannon, Tru Cannon, Josh Thomas, Carter Thomas, Brady Porter and Nathan Porter.
Nelson Funeral Home of Fayette directed.