Johanna “Hona” Margaret Crabtree (nee Edwards), age 74, of Oak Hill, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY. She was born Aug. 9, 1944 in Oak Hill to the late Rees B. and Louise (Davis) Edwards. She graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1962. Because of her love for children, she pursued a career in education attending Rio Grande College and graduating with a cadet’s degree in 1964. She taught in Columbus, OH at East Linden Elementary for two years. She came back to Oak Hill in 1966 to teach at Central Elementary and earn her Bachelor’s in education. Always teaching fourth grade, she later continued teaching at Oakview Elementary until she retired in 1999.
Hona married the love of her life, Tom Crabtree on Nov. 29, 1968. In 1973, they welcomed Charles “Charlie” David Crabtree into their lives. Hona was a truly loving wife and proud mother. She loved going on family vacations to Kiawah Island and opening her home up for holiday family gathering. Hona knew how to make a house feel like a home.
After her family, Hona’s other loves included her pets. She was an animal lover who always had a dog or cat by her side. All who knew her knew she also loved the Ohio State Buckeyes. On any Saturday during the football season, you could find her cheering on her favorite team.
However, one of her favorite pastimes was visiting with her family and neighbors on her porch swing.
Hona loved being a part of her Oak Hill community and was proud of her Welsh heritage. She was a faithful member of Faith United Methodist. She was part of the originating committee who brought the Festival of Flags to Oak Hill. She proudly dedicated herself to this event for many years. Hona and Tom also contributed to the community by offering the best “footers”, shakes and veals at the T and J Dairy Bar for almost 30 years. They also owned and operated the Highway Restaurant.
In addition to her parents, Hona was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Crabtree and her close cousin, Margaret “Peggy” (Edwards) Allison.
She is survived by her son, Charles (Kenny Grady); sister, Jodi Quidor; nieces, Jessica (Dan) Borud, Jennifer (Neal) Martin, Lee (Randall) Carver, Lynn Ferguson, Beth (Aaron) Levanthal, Gretchen (Gary) Crabtree and Christy Hooten; nephews, Tony (Janice) Wallace, Brent (Connie) Crabtree and many great-nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill. A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, March 11, 2019 at 1 p.m. at the Faith United Methodist Church with Rev. Doug Thompson and Pastor Becky Wingo officiating. Burial will follow in C.M. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Faith United Methodist Church c/o Portia Thomas, 114 Smittle Rd., Oak Hill, OH 45656. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com