Jodie Crews Jr., 80, of Mt. Zion, Georgia, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. He was born on February 19, 1945, in Hogansville, Georgia, to the late Jodie Crews Sr. and Zelma Webb Crews.

Jodie was a proud graduate of Mt. Zion High School, Class of 1964, where he met the love of his life, Janice Wheeler. They later married and built a beautiful life together in their beloved hometown of Mt. Zion. He began his career with the Levans Company, working there for 18 years. In 1987, Jodie became a poultry farmer, dedicating himself to the farm until his retirement in 2017.

He and Janice were faithful members of The Refuge Ministries of Tallapoosa, Georgia until his failing health prevented their attendance.

At any moment, you could find Jodie on his farm, building furniture for family and friends. He took great pleasure in handcrafting cutting boards, tables, tool handles, and other wooden furniture from maple and pecan trees harvested around his home. Jodie and Janice enjoyed gardening together, sharing their crops with neighbors and family. He was a kind and generous man who never hesitated to help others. A loving and devoted family man, he had a significant influence on generations to come. Jodie never met a stranger and always had a good story to tell. He found joy in tinkering with his trucks, spending time with his family, and supporting his grandchildren in all their endeavors. Jodie considered his twelve grandchildren his greatest legacy and he cherished them deeply.

In addition to his parents, Jodie was preceded in death by his brothers Roy Crews, Larry Crews, and James Crews; sisters-in-law JoAnne Crews and Raenell Crews; and brother-in-law Amon Bell.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Wheeler Crews; his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Judy Crews; daughters and sons-in-law Amanda and Ronnie Lands, and Jodi Anne and Jamie Dukes; sisters and brothers-in-law Shirley Bell, Patricia and James Wilson, and Susan and Myron Wilson; brother and sister-in-law Wayne and Louise Crews; sister-in-law Janie Crews; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Emily and Bobby Muse; grandchildren Jordan Crews, Jana Crews, Jodie Crews, Zach and Ashley Smith, Christian Smith, Issac Smith, Jamie and Gabby Dukes Jr., and Emily Dukes; great-grandchildren Michael Whatley, Hunter Smith, Lucy Smith, and Roy Dukes; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will miss him dearly.

The family will receive friends at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Jodie Jr.'s life will be held on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM from  Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel, with Pastor Anthony Puckett and Pastor Jon Ellis officiating. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Jeff Crews, Jamie Dukes Sr., Zach Smith, Jamie Dukes Jr., Issac Smith, and Jodie Crews. Interment will follow at Union Campground Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated and will be accepted but donations in Jodie Jr.'s honor may also be made to his church, The Refuge at: https://www.refugewga.com/give .

Friends and family are invited to send condolence messages to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is honored to handle the arrangements and support the family during this difficult time.