Dateline: Fuquay Varina

Erlean Crabtree, 89, passed away on Saturday morning from heart failure. She was born in Pamlico County. She has resided in Fuquay-Varina for the past 50 years. She was a active, faithful charter member of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Willow Springs. She served I many capacities at New Hope. She was always helping others and was a well loved member of her church. Her passion was gardening.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Crabtree, her sister C. Lestean Harvell of Fuquay, her brother Victor McCotter of Willow Springs. Surviving her are her son Ralph Crabtree Jr. of Fuquay, former daughter-in-law Nancy Crabtree of California, two grandsons and daughter-in-laws, James Thomas and Denise from Raleigh and John David and Zemina (Sammie) Crabtree from Oregon, as well as seven nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation June 1, 2009 from 6-8pm at Williford Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held June 2, 2009 at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Willow Springs at 11am with burial to follow at Primitive Baptist Church in Willow Springs. Services entrusted to Williford Funeral Home, 201 E. Academy Street, Fuquay-Varina, 919-552-2211.