Mrs. Debra (McFadden) Crews

In January 15, 1954, James Monroe and Gloria Hicks McFadden welcomed their first child, Debra Venita in Flint, Michigan. The first child and only girl, Debra embraced the role of big sister to three brothers, Keith Denning, James Monroe, Jr. and Marc Payton. With both parents actively involved in church, she spent many hours in church weekly. At Dozier Memorial C.M.E in Flint, Debra accepted the Lord and learned what it meant to serve Him. Her love of God was exhibited not only through her worship, but her selfless efforts to meet the needs of her family, friends and strangers. In 1972, she graduated from Beecher High School in Mt. Morris, Michigan. Following graduation, she began her lifelong career at General Motors; there she was a Senior Accountant and General Supervisor in Disbursement Analysis and Control. Debra tirelessly committed herself to the advancement of her career until her retirement. Debra married Russell Lee Johnson of Flint, Michigan in 1978. His untimely death came shortly before they welcomed their only child, daughter, Monica Ruschelle. A fiercely devoted mother, Debra committed her life to raising her daughter as a single mother. It was not until her daughter was an adult starting a family of her own that she remarried. On February 13, 2005, she married William H. Crews, Jr. “Bill” in a small ceremony in Troy. She doted on Bill, selecting his clothes, packing his lunch and making their home welcoming to all who entered. While no children were born to this union, she embraced Bill’s son Dexter as her own. The couple also raised two Shih Tzu Itzu’s until their demise, Punky and Scooter, respectively. Upon her retirement from General Motors, Debra was able to devote more time to her hobbies. She taught herself to knit and used the ability to knit hats and blankets for newborns at the local hospital. An avid gardener, her yard was meticulous. When visiting her parents and daughter, people knew she was in town by the beautiful array of flowers that filled the pots of both homes. Debra will be missed by all who knew her. But as her daddy would say, she had “some good people waiting” on her. The last 14 months of her life were the most wonderful example of God’s grace and mercy. While her family shuttled her from doctor to doctor seeking healing, her focus was on making memories. While this was not the outcome we wanted, it was the one He was preparing us for. We were not prepared on Thursday, August 10, but she was. She is welcomed into eternity by her father, James M. McFadden, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Jesse and Vora Lee McFadden; maternal grandparents, Roland and Fannie Hicks, Sr. uncles, Sylvester McFadden, Rev. Aaron McFadden, Dr. Gene McFadden, Sylvester Hicks, Roland Hicks, Jr. and father-in-law, Rev. William H. Crews, Sr. Memories of her love, generosity and kindness will forever be remembered by her husband, William H. Crews, Jr. of Troy, Michigan; daughter, Monica R. Johnson (Haynie); three grandchildren, Mason Van Dolan Nelson, Madison Venita Nelson and Harmoni Rose Jackson all of Nashville, Arkansas; mother, Gloria J. McFadden of Hope, Arkansas; brothers, Keith D. McFadden of Flint Township, Michigan, James M. McFadden, Jr. of Hope, Arkansas and Marc P. McFadden of Little Rock, Arkansas; one uncle, Lahroy McFadden of Bowie, Maryland; aunts, Shirley Y. Davis and Loretta Hicks of Hope, Arkansas, Callie Marshall, Deborah and Carol McFadden of Flint, Michigan; stepson and family Dexter (LeShanda) Williams and Zayne Williams of Florida; mother-in-law, June Crews; brother-in-law, Darryl Crews; sister-in-law, Stephanie Crews all of Detroit, Michigan; extended family, Karen (Jeff) of Southfield, Michigan; dear cousin, Barbara Bradley Dawson (John) of Pine Bluff; devoted friends, Donna (Howard) Neal of Flint, MI; Janice Berry of Southfield, Michigan, Terry Gates of Flint, Michigan and LaDell Castleberry of Atlanta, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be 10-7 Friday, August 18, 2023, at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 11am Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Bethel AME Church, 418 S. Laurel, Hope, Arkansas. Interment will follow at Scott’s Memorial Gardens, Perrytown, Arkansas. Arrangements entrusted to Hicks Funeral Home, Inc. 407 South Hazel Street, Hope, Arkansas 71801

Mrs. Debra (McFadden) Crews

January 15, 1954 - August 10, 2023