Winfred Lanier “Fred” Crosby passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, in Smoaks June 24, 2023.
Fred was known by several names: “Boogie” by his older brothers, parents and school friends, “Pipah” by his grandkids and great-grandkids, and “Fred” by almost everyone else. He was the youngest son of the late Harvey Edward Crosby and Ina Mae Hiott Crosby. A native of Colleton County, Fred attended school in Walterboro. At the age of 18, he joined the United States Air Force where he was stationed at Lackland AFB in Texas and then McCoy AFB in Orlando Florida. There he worked as a B-52 jet engine mechanic. He married his high school sweetheart, Anita Joyce Barnes in 1962, and they went on to have three children. While working a full-time job in Summerville and supporting his family, Fred went to then Baptist College and received a Bachelor of Science in just two and half years, graduating Magna cum Laude. He later went on to earn a Master of Education at The Citadel. Fred served as an educator and coach for 30 years in Summerville, at Summerville High’s Greg Campus and later at Summerville High School, where he was beloved by many students and colleagues. As a master mechanic, he loved to fix everything around his home and farm and especially loved to work on and build fast cars. As he aged and his need for speed decreased, he began working on his beloved Antique Car Collection. He restored and collected several classic cars and tractors, including his favorite, a red ’57 Chevy (The Elvis of all Classic Cars), which he showed with great pride at various car shows. A member of Summerville Baptist Church, Smoaks Baptist Church and presently Doctors Creek Baptist Church, Fred served faithfully as a deacon, always active in his church family. He was ever ready to help anyone in need and was a friend to countless people whom he touched with his kindness. Fred loved sports both as a player and coach with his favorite sport being baseball. As a young adult while living in Summerville, he enjoyed playing bass guitar in a band along with Gus Moody on Saxophone, Karl Kearse on Piano, and Richard Price on drums. He truly enjoyed making music with good friends. In fact, he loved all kinds of music, especially the classics from the 50’s and 60’s. He always had good music to enjoy and share, whether in his home, workshop or vehicles. He was passionate about animals, especially dogs. Fred and Joyce even built a porch on the back of their home to house all the rescue animals they took care of over the years. Dad had a lapdog named Killer, whom he had rescued, and he and Killer would regularly catch and release Armadillos. Since he would never kill any animal, he would catch the Armadillos in a live catch trap and then take them off to a big pine forest nearby where he would release the Armadillo, while encouraging Killer to “sic’em.” It was understandable because, even though Killer only weighed about 7 pounds, he thought he could whip anything after “sic’ing” them and running all those dozens of Armadillos off over the years.
Fred Crosby is predeceased by both parents and a brother, Edward “Ed” Crosby. Surviving is his beloved wife and sweetheart of 61 years, Joyce Barnes Crosby, a brother, Dennis Crosby of Birmingham, AL, as well as a son, Michael Lanier Crosby (Katie) of Smoaks, and daughters, Karen Leigh Kearse (Gordon) of Ehrhardt, and Terri Denise Cole (John) of Walterboro. He leaves behind grandchildren Aaron Michael Crosby (Pharen), Anna Morgan Crosby, and Asher Matthew Crosby, all of Smoaks. There are also five beloved great-grandchildren (soon to be six), all of whom he cherished dearly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the following: Doctors Creek Baptist Church, Post Office Box 2, Walterboro, SC 29488; or to: Amedisys Hospice, 305 Robertson Boulevard, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.
The family thanks everyone who has prayed for him, supported the family and loved him throughout his life.
A celebration of his life will take place at Doctors Creek Baptist Church, 126 Doctors Creek Road, Walterboro, on Thursday afternoon, June 29, 2023 at 2:00pm. Burial with military honors will follow at Live Oak Cemetery, South Jefferies Boulevard, Walterboro. Pallbearers will include Phil Phillips, Tim Phillips, Aaron Crosby, Asher Crosby, Burt Bazzle, and Paul Walsh and Honorary Pallbearers will include Gene Barnes, Tony Jenkins, and Roger Miller.
The family will receive friends from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock Wednesday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.