Maxine Crenshaw

Maxine Douglas Crenshaw, 94, of Newbern, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Okeena Health and Rehabilitation in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

Born Thursday, October 1, 1931, in Dyer County, Tennessee., she was the daughter of the late Arthur Lee Douglas and the late Amanda Viola Williams Douglas.  

Mrs. Crenshaw was a longtime and faithful employee of Cozy Kitchen, where she worked as a cook for many years. She took great pride in her work, and anyone who had the privilege of tasting her cooking knew that everything she prepared was made with care and excellence. She was especially known for preparing an incredible seventy pans of turkey and dressing during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons—an effort that reflected both her dedication and her generous spirit. Among her many proud moments, she was honored to cook for former President Bill Clinton, his wife Hillary, and their daughter Chelsea during a visit to Dyersburg.

Her love for cooking began long before her years at Cozy Kitchen. Her family fondly recalls the days of cotton picking, when she would prepare hearty lunches of soup and cornbread to nourish everyone working in the fields. She had a special gift in the kitchen, and her caramel pies and coconut pies were second to none—though to those who knew her, there wasn’t anything she couldn’t cook to perfection.

Beyond the kitchen, Mrs. Crenshaw found joy in spending time with her family, whom she loved deeply. She cherished every moment shared with them, whether gathered around the table or enjoying time together out in the community. She also enjoyed bowling and looked forward to Friday nights when her family would come together at the bowling alley. She proudly participated in a bowling league and enjoyed the fellowship and fun it brought. In quieter moments, she loved playing dominoes, where her competitive spirit often shined through—she truly liked to win.

Funeral services for Mrs. Crenshaw will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in the Chapel Of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home.   Officiating the service will be Bro. Jim Keeling. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM and from 1:00 PM until 2:30 on Sunday, April 19, 2026,both at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home.

She is survived by  two sons, Stanley Crenshaw (Phyllis) of Newbern, Tennessee and Danny Crenshaw of Newbern, Tennessee: six daughters, Loretta Pride (Lester) of Newbern, Tennessee, Theresa Harris (Gene) of Paris, Tennessee, Gloria Bell (Kenneth) of Newbern, Tennessee, Pamela Evans of Newbern, Tennessee, Donna Bryant of Newbern, Tennessee and Tammy Webb (Billy) of Ripley, Tennessee; two sisters, Angelene Standridge of Paducah, Kentucky and Sylvia Rowsey of Dyersburg, Tennessee and she was "Grandma" to her twenty-six grandchildren, forty-three  great grandchildren and fifteen great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, of forty-five years, David Crenshaw; one daughter, Sandra Crenshaw; four brothers, Robert Douglas, Marlin Douglas, Oliver Douglas and Melvin Douglas and three sisters, Ursula Simmons, Irene Peace and Christene Cummings.

Honoring Mrs. Crenshaw as pallbearers will be Mitchell Bryant, Scotty Stutts, Chad Crenshaw, Sylas King, Seth Reddick, Andy Cherry, Hunter Ozment, and Cameron Ozment.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com.  Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Maxine Douglas Crenshaw.

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