James Stephen Crabtree passed away March 21, 2023, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. He was born May 17, 1940 in Bethel Springs, Tennessee to the late Madison and Frankie Crabtree. Special grandparents were Jim and Virgie Crabtree.

He was a graduate of South Side High School and Lambuth College. Steve retired from the Tennessee Department of Employment Security (Career Center) in 2008, after 36 years of service and later worked with HCI.

Steve was a faithful member of the North Jackson church of Christ. He also was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the University of Tennessee football team.

Steve was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 61 years, Emily. He is also survived by his son, Mark (Mona) Crabtree; grandchildren, Lauren Evans (Jeremy), Lesley Crabtree, Landon Crabtree, Josh Hertzka, Jaret Hertzka (Madison) and Jacob Hertzka (Alexandra); great-grandchildren Layne Seaton, John Will Evans, Sunnie Hertzka and Madison Hertzka; brother, John Crabtree; brother-in-law, Don Mitchell (Nancy); sister-in-law, Sandra Bailey (Calvin); special niece, Rebecca Twyman (Dustin, Caroline, Tucker, and Janey Lynn), nephews, Bryan Bailey (Addyson and Ayden), Donnie Mitchell and Greg Mitchell.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, Steve was predeceased by his daughter, Karen Crabtree and sister, Joan Eggar.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to North Jackson church of Christ, 2780 Highway 45 Bypass, Jackson, TN 38305 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.

SERVICES:  A funeral service for Steve will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023, in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors, with burial to follow in Ridgecrest Cemetery.

The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until the service at 3:00 p.m.

Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305

731.668.1111            arringtonfuneralgroup.com