Nannette McBurney Crowdus
Nannette McBurney Crowdus October 31, 2023
Nannette McBurney Crowdus, 88, died peacefully at home on October 31, 2023.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Willard Blakeslee and Nannette Griffeth McBurney, she lived an extraordinary life full of love, family, friends, and service to numerous charities and her beloved alma mater, Sweet Briar College. At Sweet Briar she served as a Board Trustee, President of the Alumnae Association, and in numerous volunteer roles. During her senior year, she met her late husband William Warren “Bill” Crowdus on a blind date. They were married for 55 years and had three children together. During their marriage, they lived in 12 different cities, finally retiring to Madison County, Virginia, in 1998. Nannette loved to travel, having visited 46 states and 31 countries, many of them more than once, with Italy topping the list.
Nannette had a successful professional career which included serving as Vice President of the National Association of Realtors and volunteering extensively. Locally, she was President of the Madison County Boys and Girls Club. Her other interests included reading good books, gourmet cooking, music, especially opera, and entertaining friends. Setting a beautiful table to share with friends and family gave her great pleasure. Her children and three grandchildren were her greatest source of pride and joy.
Nannette was predeceased by her husband Bill, and daughter Nannette. She is survived by her son, W. Warren Crowdus (Barbara “Lou” Rollinson) of Washington D.C.; as well as her daughter, Carol Crowdus Barbour (Jeff) of Glenview, Illinois. She will be greatly missed by her three grandchildren, William Crowdus of Washington D.C., Elizabeth Crowdus of Brooklyn, New York, and Katherine Barbour of Bloomington, Indiana; as well as her companion of the last ten years, John “Penn” Bowers of Rochelle, Virginia.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023, at Christ Episcopal Church in Gordonsville, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Sweet Briar College (www.sbc.edu), the Boys and Girls Club of Madison County, or to your local ASPCA.
