Obituary - Mary Ann Crews Nash

Mary Ann Crews Nash, of Richmond, VA, departed this life on Monday, March 17, 2025 at the age of 94. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Thomas Jerome Nash; her father, Dennis Covington Crews and her mother, Phila Slaughter Crews, both of Pittsburg, Texas. She is survived by her loving children, her son William Ashley Nash II and daughter, Brenda Sue Nash, both of Richmond, Virginia; her granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Hamlett(Gary) of North, Virginia and grandson Jonathan Russell Gossard along with her great-grandson, Zion Gossard, both of Richmond. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Crews Smith of Shreveport, LA., nephew David Smith (Cathy) of Atlanta, GA. and niece Lesle Nash Loughridge (Bruce) of Albuquerque, NM and many great-nieces and nephews.

She was born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas and raised in Pittsburg, Texas where her father had a lumber business. She was valedictorian of her high school class of 1947 and was an accomplished pianist who played competitively with the famous Van Cliburn. In 1950, she was selected to the Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities. She graduated from Austin College with honors. In July 1951, she married Thomas Jerome Nash of Lubbock, Texas, and they established their home in Richmond, VA since he was affiliated with Reynolds Metals Corporation in human resources management at the headquarters of Reynolds Metals. He later became Director of Professional Employment and retired in 1989.

In education, she was a pioneer in the learning disabilities field for the county of Henrico and became head of the Learning Disabilities section of the Special Education department.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and friend to her community. She was also former Regent of the Commonwealth Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and served on their board for many years. She was active in her church where she was a devoted member of St. Alban’s Anglican Church and raised her family at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church where she served on St. Michael’s school board for many years. The family always vacationed in the Outer Banks area where they had many happy memories. She was always a great lover of all God’s creatures, especially dogs. She was known for her warmth, kindness, love and charm. A special note of thanks should be given to Spring Arbor Cottage Memory Care of Salisbury where she happily spent her remaining years and was a recipient of their love, care and support.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, at Bliley’s Funeral Home-Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 24 at St. Alban’s Anglican Church, 4006 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23227 with interment to follow at Hollywood Cemetery. Reception will be afterwards at the Commonwealth Club 401 W Franklin St. Contributions may be made to St. Alban’s Anglican Church.