James (Jimmy) Crow

MR. JAMES "Jimmy" Crow, 96 of WAXHAW, NC passed away Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Atrium Health - Waxhaw, Waxhaw, NC.

Private Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 27, 2020 Military Honors and Interment will follow.

A public viewing will be held 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm June 26, 2020 at Harris Funeral Home & Cremations of Monroe, NC.

Mr. James Crow "Jimmy ", was  a very special person to all who knew him.  He was a long time resident of Waxhaw, a devoted husband and a person who had an exceptional gift of befriending everyone.

James Crow was born on Friday, September 7, 1923, to Bertha Crow in Union County, North Carolina.  He was the fourth of five children.

Jimmy received his formal education in the Union County Public Schools.  At 19, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945.  After discharge from the Navy, he enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps August 19, 1946 and trained at the Montford Point Training Facility near Jacksonville, NC, becoming the first nearly 20,000 black men to desegregate the Marine Corps.  He served in the Asiatic-Pacific and Korean Era.  He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in September 1951 with rifle sharpshooter qualifications.  Wounded in action in the Hangnyong area, Korea, he received two Purple Hearts,  WWII Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.  He was scheduled to receive his personal replica of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to all Montford Point Marines in a ceremony originally planned for May 2, 2020.  He was also nominated to the N.C. Military Hall of Fame for 2020.

In 1941, James married his bride of 75 years,  Annie Faye Massey Crow.  He was a loving and dedicated husband until Annie Faye's passing February 16, 2016.  From that union, they had one child, Helen Gwendolyn Crow.

Mr. Crow had a long civilian career at Trailways before retiring.  He then worked at Harris Teeter Stores until his second retirement.  He was also a member of the Waxhaw Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Crow  was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church Waxhaw, for many years.  He served on the Deacon Board, the Presbyterian Men and Usher.  Ushering was his passion because that was where he could meet and greet.  Mr. Crow remained a respected and admired member of the Waxhaw Community.  He enjoyed restoring vintage automobiles, working in his yard and engaging conversations where ever he dined.  We will remember his love of his life, laughter, kindness, sharp mind and the joyful memories he shared.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughter, Gwendolyn Crow of Lancaster, SC; great-grandchildren, Taheerah Smith and DeShonne Staten; great-great-grandchildren, Tyantiana Smith, Stepfon Smith; great-great-great-grandchildren, Ja'Ana Flowers, Malaysia Hough and Maci Hough; sisters-in-law, Virginia Massey Johnson of Waxhaw, NC and Emily Massy of Warrenton, GA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  James Crow was preceded in death by his wife; brothers, Willie Crow, John Henry, Paro Henry, and Nathaniel Houston and grandsons, Kevin Crow and Gregory Smith.