Obituary of Chester Lloyd Crabtree

OBITUARY OF CHESTER LLOYD CRABTREE: ------------------------------------------------------- HILLSBOROUGH, NC -- Chester Lloyd Crabtree, 85, of 4609 Saint Mary's Road, Hillsborough, NC, passed away October 19th at his home after an extended illness. Born December 9, 1927, Chester was the son of the late Artelia Holden Watkins Crabtree and Thomas Frank Crabtree. Chester spent most of his life in Orange County and was a member of New Sharon United Methodist Church. He was a retired truck driver, farmer and factory worker. Chester was a long-distance truck driver for Pilot Freight Carriers and received several awards for safe driving. Chester attended Hillsboro High School and served in the U.S. Army 1946-49. He was a graduate of the N.C. State University Truck Driver Training School. Chester loved NASCAR, good food, bluegrass music, vegetable gardening, mowing his lawn and sharing stories from his decades as a truck driver. He also loved going to Highway 70 Barbecue in Hillsborough to see his "breakfast buddies." Their friendship to Chester is appreciated deeply. Chester was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sue Hill Crabtree; a sister, Ollie Mae Roberts; and a brother, Thomas Rhone Crabtree. He is survived by a large extended family including sons Robert Lloyd Crabtree of Hillsborough, and Thomas Hill Crabtree and wife Gayle of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren Travis Lloyd Crabtree and wife Lisa of Haw River, Lauren Crabtree Anderson and husband Alex of Spartanburg, SC, and Kayla Hill Crabtree of Spartanburg, SC; and great-grandchildren Hunter and Ryan Crabtree of Haw River. Survivors also include Chester's brothers Doug Crabtree and wife Pat, and Lewis Crabtree and wife Faye, all of Hillsborough; sisters Mildred Thompson of Burlington, Clara Roebuck of Conroe, TX, Betty Rose Allison and husband Earl of Chapel Hill, and Louise Yow and Lib Davis, both of Hillsborough; and brother-in-law Richard Roberts of Hillsborough. Chester also had numerous nieces and nephews. The family also wishes to thank Chester's caregiver, Jennifer Daily, for her tireless work and dedication, as well as her friendship. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, October 22nd, 11:00 a.m., at New Sharon United Methodist Church cemetery, 1601 New Sharon Church Road, Hillsborough 27278. Reverend Jeff Nash will officiate. Following the services, the family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Duke Home Care and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704, www.dhch.duhs.duke.edu. The family will be at 4609 Saint Mary's Road, Hillsborough. Arrangements are being handled by Walker's Funeral Home, 204 North Churton Street, Hillsborough.