Elizabeth Gayle Eagle Crabtree

Elizabeth Gayle Eagle Crabtree is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after passing from this world on Friday, July 19, 2024, following a long and brave battle with cancer. Gayle was born December 3, 1951 in Salisbury, NC. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth Lee Eagle, Sr. and Elizabeth Weisner Eagle Merritt.

Gayle was a 1969 graduate of Boyden High School in Salisbury, NC, and a 1973 graduate of North Carolina State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Parks Administration. She enjoyed taking her dog Cruise for visits to nursing homes, schools, and other facilities and was active in the Alliance of Therapy Dogs as a certified therapy dog handler. She was active in the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Spartanburg. She was a former volunteer at Total Ministries. Gayle worked full-time for 31 years, primarily in parks and recreation in cities across the Carolinas. When she retired, she was Director of Recreation for Spartanburg Parks.

Gayle was active in Milestones Church in Spartanburg. She and her husband Tom enjoyed hosting a Life Group in their home and supporting the church's many ministries.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 44 years, Thomas Hill Crabtree; her children, Lauren Elizabeth Crabtree Anderson (Alex) and Kayla Hill Crabtree, all of Spartanburg; her brother, Kenneth Lee Eagle, Jr. (Karen) of Oak Island, NC; and a number of cousins, whom she loved dearly. Gayle also loved being a dog mommy to Holmes and Cruise and grandmother to her children's pets.

Gayle was a gentle soul, known for her warm smile, kind demeanor, sense of humor, and putting other people first. She enjoyed flowers, especially hydrangeas. She was a terrific cook and enjoyed trying new recipes. She loved Mexican food, strawberry milkshakes (no whipped cream or cherry), quarter-pounders with cheese (ketchup only), trips to the beach, and going to concerts. She enjoyed decorating her home and inviting friends over, as well as party planning and shopping (a big fan of Amazon). Her last big gift to her family was planning a surprise birthday party for Tom in April.

Gayle developed a mission statement for her family and personal life: "Our main goal is to follow Jesus, and serve both Jesus and our fellow man. We strive to love others and make each day count."

A Celebration of Life service will take place Friday, July 26, 2024 at Milestones Church, 885 Simuel Road, Spartanburg. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM followed by services at 11:00 AM. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood Glendale Road, Spartanburg. The services are open to the public.

Gayle's family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of Spartanburg Regional Hospice House for the wonderful care Gayle received, and to the numerous relatives and friends who filled her room with love as they visited her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Milestones Church, 885 Simuel Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301; Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303; or Total Ministries, 976 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Pallbearers will include Jeff Caton, Chad Diehl, Andre' Kerr, Allen O'Shields, Mike Moss, Glen Nichols, and Floyd Turner.