Obituary for Charles Warner Crumb
The Reverend Charles Warner Crumb of Roanoke, Virginia entered the Life Triumphant on February 8, 2021 at the age of 100. He was born August 18, 1920 in Cheriton, VA, the third child of Edgar Alvin Crumb, Sr. and Nell Howlett Crumb, both of whom predeceased their children. He was the husband of the late Martha Elizabeth Hawkins Crumb for 70 years. He was also predeceased by an infant grandson, William Warner Bodine.
A child of the Bay, Warner grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the towns of Cheriton, Oyster, and Cape Charles, graduating from Cape Charles High School in 1937. At the age of seventeen, he was called to and began preparation for the Christian Ministry, completing studies at Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, VA) and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, GA). He served student pastorates in college and seminary and began full-time ministry on the Batesville Methodist Charge in Albemarle and Nelson Counties (VA), followed by the West Hanover Charge in Hanover (VA). In 1947, he met and married his devoted wife, Martha, with whom he shared his life and his ministry.
Warner was also a Chaplain in the U.S. Naval Reserves and was recalled to active duty at the time of the Korean War. Following two years with the U.S. Marines, he was appointed founding pastor of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. His ministry continued at Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Chesterfield until he was named Administrator of the Hermitage Methodist Home in Richmond. His ministry there of eighteen years concluded with the building of a nursing wing, the Via Health Care Center. He was then named Director of Development for the Virginia United Methodist Homes system.
Warner’s life came full circle in 1983 when Bishop Robert Blackburn called him to his Cabinet as the District Superintendent of his beloved Eastern Shore. He served as DS for five years before retiring and moving to Roanoke, VA, where he served interim ministries at Melrose, Southview, and Boones Mill United Methodist Churches.
Warner’s ministry extended beyond the local church, serving on the boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church and several civic organizations. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Conference Credit Union, the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, and a Trustee of Virginia Wesleyan College and Ferrum College. He also served as Chaplain, Roanoke Chapter, and State Chaplain of the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW.)
In retirement, Warner enjoyed gardening, carpentry, extensive writing, and spending quality time with family, friends, and his dear cat, Oscar. He will be remembered for the 101 bluebird houses he built to give to family and friends and the thousands of letters he wrote. His deepest regret in life was to have never been a published author. For those of us who were the fortunate recipients of his many letters, his words will forever be published in our hearts.
Warner’s contributions to the United Methodist Church in Virginia, the Hermitage in Richmond and the Virginia United Methodist Homes system (now Pinnacle Living) are immeasurable. It was his honor to participate in the Richmond Hermitage’s 70th anniversary in September of 2018 at the age of 98. He was an active resident at the Hermitage in Roanoke until his death.
Warner is survived by two daughters, Beth Snead (Bob), and Nell Bodine, whose hearts are broken but rejoice in the heavenly reunion of their parents. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Martha Facenda (Dave), Elizabeth Bowdel (Jamey), David Bodine (Kristen), and Michael Bodine, six great-grandchildren, Aida and Luca Facenda, Reagan Bowdel, and Zoey, Will and Max Bodine, and several very special nieces, nephews and their extended families.
The family wishes to thank the Hermitage Roanoke for the loving care he received in his 15 years there. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Samaritan Fund, Pinnacle Living, 5101 Cox Road, Suite 225, Glen Allen, VA 23060; Occohannock on the Bay, PO Box 317, Parksley, VA 23421; Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1901 Thomson Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903; or Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, 402 Second Street SW, Roanoke, VA 24011.
Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel is assisting the family. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
A child of the Bay, Warner grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the towns of Cheriton, Oyster, and Cape Charles, graduating from Cape Charles High School in 1937. At the age of seventeen, he was called to and began preparation for the Christian Ministry, completing studies at Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, VA) and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, GA). He served student pastorates in college and seminary and began full-time ministry on the Batesville Methodist Charge in Albemarle and Nelson Counties (VA), followed by the West Hanover Charge in Hanover (VA). In 1947, he met and married his devoted wife, Martha, with whom he shared his life and his ministry.
Warner was also a Chaplain in the U.S. Naval Reserves and was recalled to active duty at the time of the Korean War. Following two years with the U.S. Marines, he was appointed founding pastor of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. His ministry continued at Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Chesterfield until he was named Administrator of the Hermitage Methodist Home in Richmond. His ministry there of eighteen years concluded with the building of a nursing wing, the Via Health Care Center. He was then named Director of Development for the Virginia United Methodist Homes system.
Warner’s life came full circle in 1983 when Bishop Robert Blackburn called him to his Cabinet as the District Superintendent of his beloved Eastern Shore. He served as DS for five years before retiring and moving to Roanoke, VA, where he served interim ministries at Melrose, Southview, and Boones Mill United Methodist Churches.
Warner’s ministry extended beyond the local church, serving on the boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church and several civic organizations. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Conference Credit Union, the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, and a Trustee of Virginia Wesleyan College and Ferrum College. He also served as Chaplain, Roanoke Chapter, and State Chaplain of the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW.)
In retirement, Warner enjoyed gardening, carpentry, extensive writing, and spending quality time with family, friends, and his dear cat, Oscar. He will be remembered for the 101 bluebird houses he built to give to family and friends and the thousands of letters he wrote. His deepest regret in life was to have never been a published author. For those of us who were the fortunate recipients of his many letters, his words will forever be published in our hearts.
Warner’s contributions to the United Methodist Church in Virginia, the Hermitage in Richmond and the Virginia United Methodist Homes system (now Pinnacle Living) are immeasurable. It was his honor to participate in the Richmond Hermitage’s 70th anniversary in September of 2018 at the age of 98. He was an active resident at the Hermitage in Roanoke until his death.
Warner is survived by two daughters, Beth Snead (Bob), and Nell Bodine, whose hearts are broken but rejoice in the heavenly reunion of their parents. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Martha Facenda (Dave), Elizabeth Bowdel (Jamey), David Bodine (Kristen), and Michael Bodine, six great-grandchildren, Aida and Luca Facenda, Reagan Bowdel, and Zoey, Will and Max Bodine, and several very special nieces, nephews and their extended families.
The family wishes to thank the Hermitage Roanoke for the loving care he received in his 15 years there. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Samaritan Fund, Pinnacle Living, 5101 Cox Road, Suite 225, Glen Allen, VA 23060; Occohannock on the Bay, PO Box 317, Parksley, VA 23421; Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1901 Thomson Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903; or Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, 402 Second Street SW, Roanoke, VA 24011.
Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel is assisting the family. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.