Susan Kathleen Williams Crewe of Columbia passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, December 11, 2012. She was the loving wife of Foster Coates Crewe, with whom she recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary.

The granddaughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, Susan was the eldest daughter of the late James and Elaine Reiser Williams of Detroit, MI, where she was born and grew up. She graduated with distinction in academics from Cass Technical High School and was well recognized for her artistic talents and accomplishments.

She attended Michigan State University, married, and became the devoted mother of three sons.

Her young family moved to Northern California in 1966, where Susan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of California, Davis.

While living in Walnut Creek, California, Susan met and began studying the Bible with Coates. After giving her life to Christ, Susan moved to South Carolina, and she and Coates were married in Columbia at Shandon Baptist Church.

Through the years, Susan helped Coates raise his two daughters, restore a historic Columbia home, and headed operations for the family business, PhotosbyCrewe. In addition, she was an accomplished videographer, and audio and video editor. She loved her work, not just because she was totally devoted to Coates as his partner and helpmate, but because it brought her close to so many other individuals and families at some of the most precious moments in their lives.

Susan was an active member of Shandon Baptist Church and loved the many congregants she came to know in Sunday school, Wednesday night dinners and Pastor's study. For many years, she assisted Coates' photography assignments in the church community, including the Christmas Eve service. Throughout, she continued to honor and serve her Hebrew heritage as a Messianic Jew.

Susan is survived by her husband and best friend, Coates; her sons, David (wife Susan), Robert, and Daniel (wife Maria) Gold, all in California; sisters, Jane Mankoff in Illinois and Margery Williams in Massachusetts; sister-in-law Siu Williams in Palo Alto; brothers-in-law John Clark Crewe and Jim Roberts in Charlotte, NC; stepdaughters, Catherine Reid and Lauren Tarantola; and grandchildren, Galen and Lauren Gold, Ashley Gold, Fiona Reid, and Penelope Tarantola. In addition to her parents, Susan was preceded in death by her brother, James Michael Williams of Palo Alto.

Susan is also survived by her beloved Boykin spaniel, Toby.

A service to celebrate Susan's life will be held 12:30 o'clock, Monday, December 17th, in the Chapel of Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Drive, Columbia, with The Rev. L. Barry Gray officiating. The family will greet friends following the service.

For those so inclined, it was Susan's wish that in lieu of flowers or other remembrances, memorials would be made to Oliver Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 7791, Columbia, SC 29202.

The family also wishes to express their most profound love and appreciation to all those who lifted up Susan with prayers, well-wishes, thoughtful visits, gifts, notes, cards, food, calls, emails, and flowers along her journey toward her home going. You were also in hers and Coates' prayers.

Special appreciation to all the doctors and staff at South Carolina Oncology Associations, especially Dr. Fred Kudrick and Tracy White, the tender loving friends who attended Susan during her many clinical appointments, the Bright Star team, most especially Minnie, and the exceptional Tri-County Hospice team.

Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.