Mrs. Melba A. Crews, 82 of Lake City, Florida passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2014 peacefully at Haven Hospice after a lengthy illness. She was born on September 23, 1931 in Rising Fawn, GA to Asa Fricks & Ruth Carpenter Reeves. Melba graduated from Tift College in 1951, and then moved to Florida where she became an educator. She was an employee with the State of Florida as a Social Worker for Children's Protective Services for several years where she took much pride in the work she did in her job and community in overseeing the 'Foster Care' homes in Columbia County as well as the placement and wellbeing of children within that system. She loved to work in her gardens and green houses and was always taking care of the needs of others unselfishly. She was an active member of Parkview Baptist Church and was a past Associational Director of Women on Missions (WMU) where she was very active in starting mission programs not only in her church but the entire association. Melba loved her church and spending time with her Women on Mission groups. She was a loving mother and grandmother and loved spending time with her family. Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Asa F. & Ruth C. Reeves, her three brothers, Charles F. Reeves, Wayland E. (Gene) Reeves & Lewis Tillman Reeves and a step-daughter Peggy P. Larson. She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Carlos L. Crews, Lake City, FL, three daughters; Patricia L. Parker (Billy), Fernandina Beach, FL; Lisa D. Brown, St. Johns, FL & Karen R. Collins, Lake City, FL, one son; Charles W. Roberts, Ball Ground, GA; one step-son, Robert C. Crews (Gina) Lake City, FL; one step-daughter, Linda C. Strauss (Ernest), Lilburn, GA. her grandchildren; Weston C. Brown, Chase D. Brown(Sarah), Chandler A. Collins, Chelsea A. Collins, Paula Rowell(Greg), Ernie Strauss, Sara Antweiler (Andrew) Christopher Crews (Loria); Carlie Rhodes (Jonathan); Shannon Larson and Ethan Larson. Also surviving are seven great-grand children, and other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 11:00am at Parkview Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Tatem officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening March 6, 2014 from 5:00-7:00pm at GATEWAY FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32025. (386) 752-1954. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making a memorial donation to one of the following organizations: Parkview Baptist Church Building Fund ([email protected]), Haven Hospice ([email protected]) or Alzheimer's Foundation (alz.org). Please leave words of comfort for the family online at www.gatewayforestlawn.com