Ruby Dail Peel Crowley died in her sleep on Aug. 9, 2014, following a short period of declining heath and a fall. She was 87.
Raised in Greenville, S.C. and Wilmington, she was the daughter of the late Ruby and John Peel and sister of the late John Peel. She was married to George Worth Crowley, who preceded her in death in 1969.
Working throughout her adult life, Mrs. Crowley was employed by the Atlantic Coastline Railroad and Pascal Camak, DDS and several other employers. She worked for the Diocese of East Carolina (Episcopal Church) and transferred to Kinston when the Diocese offices relocated there.
She lived in Kinston for 26 years and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She volunteered at the Arts Council in Kinston, was a member of the “lunch bunch” and enjoyed playing bridge and attending cultural events with friends. She could often be seen riding her bicycle around town, an activity she continued until two years ago.
After moving back to the Wilmington area five years ago, Mrs. Crowley resided with her niece, Lynn Atkinson and husband, Gene, in Leland. She was currently a member of St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church where she was active in Womens Ministry Circle and a participant in BookWorms and Sojourners.
A lover of letters and cards, she used this skill assisting the Care Giving Committee. Mrs. Crowley was a past member of Pearsall Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. Some of her many positions at those churches included ruling elder, deacon, president of the Women of the Church, Sunday school teacher and youth adviser.
Mrs. Crowley loved playing the piano and teaching others to play the piano. She saved money each week to buy a new piano, the piano she used for more than 50 years.
She was very independent, never wanted to be a burden to anyone, loved to clean house and wash clothes. Going off with her was always an adventure because she knew and talked to everyone. When she loved you she loved you deeply. Her faith was strong and sure.
She is survived by her beloved niece, Lynn Crowley Atkinson and husband, Gene, whom she lived with. Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Johnsie Crowley, of the home; nephew, Robert Sidbury Crowley and wife, Kay, of Wilmington; niece, Kay Crowley Morton and husband, Donald, of Sanford; niece and namesake, Dail Crowley Register and husband, Bo, of Hampstead; and nephew, John M Peel, of Baton Rouge, La. Though Mrs. Crowley and her husband never had children of their own, she “adopted” her nieces and nephews and their families as her own and they adopted her back.
Additional survivors include sisters-in-law, Edith Batson, Mildred Crowley and Lynda Crowley; brother-in-law, Robert Crowley; and many more nieces, nephews and their families. She will be missed terribly by her feline companion “Baby” a large male cat and Lynn’s dog, Muffet.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at St Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church officiated by the Rev. Robert Lapp. The family will receive visitors following the service.
Please share memories and condolences with the family online at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.
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