Deanna Sue Crum

Deanna Sue Crum, 65, of Ragland, WV, was escorted by angels into the presence of her Savior on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, from her home after a sudden illness. She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Joel Thomas Crum. Born in Williamson, WV on July 19, 1960, to the late Homer and Novia (Jackie) Cole Preece, Deanna spent the first few years of her childhood in Delbarton, but the family moved to Point Pleasant and remained there until 1975 before coming back. She finished out her school years at Burch High School. There were early hints of the talent that lay within the little girl whose Granny Preece would bring her to Delbarton Church of God to sing special songs as often as she could. Dee loved to sing all her life, and that beautiful, soaring soprano voice would open many God-ordained doors of opportunity. Deanna and a young man named Tommy Crum found romance as well as a common bond—singing for the Lord—and Dee began ministering with him and close friends Rev. Will and Bonnie Compton as a group--an alliance that would continue for about a decade, first in traveling evangelism to pastoral ministry, with the couple serving as music directors for Will and Bonnie. During those years, Dee and Tommy transitioned from just sweethearts to marriage on November 24, 1976. When the Comptons were called to a pastoral assignment away from the area in 1983, Dee and Tommy were appointed to lead worship at Delbarton Church of God (now Regional Church), and would serve for over 25 years as Ministers of Music. Their deep bond with Pastors Mitchell and Regina Bias remained strong from the earliest days of their time together until Tommy and then Dee were called to their heavenly home, just fifteen months apart .At Regional, Tommy and Dee directed a large choir and band which eventually even included brass and percussion instruments. They and the choir were invited to tour select parts of Europe on two occasions with the Church of God Ministry to the Military, and made a worship CD, “Total Praise. ”They both poured their creative influences into their beloved son, Cole, from the time he was a baby--and he became an integral part of the Crum family legacy. Deanna’s talent in singing, as magnificent as it was, just tapped the surface of her many creative giftings. Dee could make anything more beautiful and more elegant, and she did. She could design and decorate on a grand scale; and every Christmas, she pulled out all the stops to make the entire church like a big Currier & Ives greeting card. She could organize an event, no matter how important the occasion, and not only set up the event room but also spread a feast as delicious as it was beautiful. She and Tommy operated Heritage Family Diner for several years in downtown Delbarton, out of which she also offered catering services that were much in demand. Over the years, Deanna not only directed many plays and dramas and Christmas/Easter cantatas, but she also wrote a number of all-original skits. Her most impressive dramatic presentation was the Passion musical, “Bow the Knee,” which was encored several times over the past 20 years or so. With a cast and crew of about 100 people, her last presentation of the musical was in 2022, with over 3000 people attending the multiple services into the Easter holiday. The presentation was as professionally-rendered as an off-broadway production, and many people exclaimed their surprise to attend such a well-executed event in the coalfields of Appalachia. Deanna worked for the late John W. Preece, CPA, over a number of years in different capacities, from administrative work to managing the Delbarton Inn, before retiring for health reasons. Though unable to return to full-time work, most recently she offered her assistance to the Delbarton Apartments as a part-time manager. Dee always loved to sing, but her health brought significant challenges over the last several years. First, a mild stroke which temporarily set her back, and prompted her to reluctantly step down from serving as a minister of music; and then a fierce fight with breast cancer a few years ago that threatened to take her life. Instead of just giving up entirely, however, she continued to find ways to serve even when she didn’t feel able to do what she truly loved. She could still plan and direct others and organize teams to do what she was unable to do alone. But in the wake of her fight with cancer, something remarkable happened. What the devil intended to destroy her instead caused a metamorphosis to occur—she emerged with fresh fire, fresh faith, and fresh inspiration. She poured countless hours into producing the seasonal dramas, helping choreograph and direct dance, worship flag, and “human video” presentations, engineering the livestream audio, and managing the church hospitality ministry, even continuing to help organize meals for bereaved families and to sing at funerals. The last few years of her life, even when she had to tenderly care for Tommy through a terminal illness, caused her gifts, talents, and worship to take on a new and deeper intensity. She was like a woman on a mission, determined to use every last bit of her creative gifting to glorify God, working through her own pain and physical challenges. During this last Christmas season, she and her team made the church its most beautifully decorated ever. The choir was so impactful that requests were made to bring it back every Sunday. She was even in the process of planning a Bow the Knee 2026. God redeemed the time for her; and though she left us too soon, she left us shining the brightest she’d ever shone, as if God saved her very best for last. One would be hard-pressed to find an area of the ministry of Regional Church that her hands had not touched and blessed in some way. To say she leaves big shoes to fill, well, it will take many, many pairs of shoes to fill the ways her one life touched so many. Her most recent “hat” was the staff title of Creative Arts Director, but it seems such a small title for such an enormous impact. Still, all these achievements are merely her gifts and not who she was. Deanna was a compassionate friend and sister, a devoted wife, and cherished motherhood above all her other accomplishments. Cole was her life, her reason to keep going, her most precious treasure. Having Dee as a friend was a true gift, and she never lacked for people who wanted to be part of her circle. She was a giver from the depths of her soul, and she was kind to everyone. She believed in never leaving anyone out. She enjoyed travel, concerts, and the beach, especially if it meant doing so as a family. She was funny, quick-witted, and fit in with every age group and every walk of life. To watch her worship was just a beautiful thing, because it was sincere and authentic and unfiltered. In fact, she made her entire life an act of worship before her Lord and Savior. She loved God above all else and held nothing back in honoring Him. She never knew just how remarkable she was. Dee was seldom alone in the natural, but never alone in the spiritual. In the moment when she transitioned from earth to her heavenly home, angels were present to escort her. Everything she had dreamed, envisioned, prayed for, and longed to experience was realized in one moment when she stepped into the presence of Jesus. We know she is there now and that we will see her again, whole, healthy, and without a doubt, worshiping with unhindered adoration. Deanna leaves behind her precious son, Curtis Cole Crum of Delbarton; her beloved siblings, a brother, Homer Keith Preece and a sister, Lana Preece Kersey; and cherished nieces Niki (John) Meadows and Alicia (Adam) Persinger, all of Point Pleasant; nephews Phillip (Stephenie) Swisher of Pittsburgh, PA, and Eric (Tara) Swisher of San Clemente, CA; nephew Nate Swisher and niece Kate Swisher. She also has one brother-in-law, Dana (Lisa) Crum, nephews Coby (Angie) Crum, Chris Maynard, and niece Misty Fleming, all of Delbarton; several other extended members of the family; her inner circle of friends with many years’ history, Gail Lendearo, Angela Hamilton, Sonya Hackney, and Margaret Jones; and as well, her “second son,” Eric (Brittney) Bias. It would be impossible to list everyone who loved her and everyone she loved. A celebration of her remarkable life will be held at Regional Church of God in Delbarton on the evening of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6:30pm with visitation beginning at 4pm. The Crum family is grateful for the gracious service of Chafin Funeral Home.

Deanna Sue Crum

July 19, 1960 - January 21, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Deanna Sue Crum

July 19, 1960 - January 21, 2026

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information