Susan Kerr Crabtree

Susan “Sue” Kerr Crabtree, 83, of Winter Garden, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on October 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Sue was born on September 13, 1943, in Miami, Florida, to Robert M. Kerr and Helen R. Kerr. At a young age, her family moved to Winter Garden, a community that would become her lifelong home and one she would dedicate much of her life to serving.

Sue attended Winter Garden Elementary School and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1961. Following graduation, she attended Mississippi Southern College alongside her brother, Jim Kerr. After college, she returned to Winter Garden, where she married her soulmate, George Frederick “Fred” Crabtree, in 1964.

Together, Fred and Sue built a beautiful life centered around faith, family, and community. They were blessed with three children: Karen, Jimmy, and Andy. Sue devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children, always making their lives, activities, and happiness her highest priority. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother, and a constant source of encouragement and support to those she loved.

Sue also spent much of her professional life working alongside her family at Kerr's Marine Tool Company, a marine tool manufacturing business founded by her father, Robert M. Kerr, in 1964. For many years, she was a dedicated part of the family business, taking pride in working alongside those she loved and helping carry on her father's legacy.

Beyond her family, Sue had an extraordinary passion for serving others. A true community advocate, she generously gave thousands of hours of her time to making Winter Garden and the surrounding West Orange County community a better place to live. Sue was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, where her involvement in community service began through the church’s youth programs. Her love for children and young people continued through her service as a Girl Scout Brownie leader, as well as numerous roles on the OCPS PTA.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Sue and Fred dedicated multiple years to operating the West Orange Youth Center, providing local teenagers with a safe and welcoming place to gather, participate in activities, and build friendships. Their commitment reflected Sue’s belief that investing in young people was one of the greatest ways to strengthen a community.

Sue later became an active member of the West Orange Junior Service League, where she served in numerous leadership roles, including president. She chaired the West Orange Debutante Ball for several years and volunteered her time at the Nearly New Thrift Shop and Edgewood Boys Ranch.

Her love for Winter Garden and its natural beauty led her to become one of four founding members of the Bloom & Grow Garden Society. Through this organization, Sue helped bring to life what would become one of Winter Garden’s most beloved annual traditions, the Spring Fever in the Garden festival. She was instrumental in helping launch the event and served as festival chair for 14 years, helping it grow into a cherished celebration that continues to bring thousands of visitors to downtown Winter Garden each year.

Sue was also part of the original committee of community volunteers who researched and helped bring the iconic white lights to downtown Winter Garden, an effort that eventually became the beloved Light Up Winter Garden holiday tradition.

While Sue was involved in countless community organizations and initiatives throughout her life, perhaps her most meaningful mission began in 2011, following the loss of her beloved son, Jimmy.

Determined to turn unimaginable heartbreak into hope for others, Sue and her family established the Jimmy Crabtree Cancer Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to local families battling cancer. Sue poured her heart into the organization, helping organize fundraisers, community events, and outreach efforts throughout the years, including participating in Relay for Life in Winter Garden.

Over the past 15 years, the Jimmy Crabtree Cancer Fund has provided assistance to more than 170 cancer patients and their families throughout the West Orange County community. What began as a family’s tribute to a beloved son became a lasting legacy of compassion, generosity, and hope.

Sue’s lifelong dedication to service did not go unnoticed. Among her many honors were a tree dedicated in her honor at Tucker Ranch, an Eagle Scout recognition award, the Key to the City of Winter Garden, Grand Marshal of the annual Christmas Parade, and an award recognizing her outstanding “Overall Community Involvement.”

Yet, despite these honors, Sue never sought recognition. Her greatest reward came from helping others, bringing people together, and knowing she had made a difference in someone’s life.

Sue also had a special place in her heart for animals, especially cats. Over the years, she rescued and raised many cats, giving them loving homes and treating each one as part of the family. Her compassion for animals extended beyond her own home, as she continued to support and donate to animal welfare organizations and causes throughout her life.

Above all else, Sue’s greatest love was her family. She loved traveling all over the U.S., visiting 48 states with Fred, exploring new cities and towns, and Jackson Hole became one of their favorites. She also cherished the time spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren, and her love, encouragement, and unwavering support were constants in their lives.

Sue is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Fred Crabtree; her daughter, Karen (Mike) Davis; her daughter-in-law, Lorie Crabtree; and her son, Andy (Tabitha) Crabtree. She is also survived by her five beloved grandchildren: Jacob, Mattie, Ella, Owen, and Ollie, as well as a great-grandchild due in February 2027.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Jimmy Crabtree; her brother, Jim Kerr; and her parents, Robert and Helen Kerr.

Sue Crabtree leaves behind a remarkable legacy of faith, family, friendship, and service. Her fingerprints can be found throughout the community she loved, in the organizations she helped build, the traditions she helped create, and the countless lives she touched along the way.

While her family and friends will miss her dearly, they find comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, reunited with loved ones, and resting in the arms of her Lord and Savior. Her life was a beautiful example of what it means to love deeply, give generously, and serve faithfully.

Winter Garden is a better place because Sue Crabtree called it home.

Details regarding a Celebration of Life service will be announced by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Sue has asked that donations be made in her memory to the Jimmy Crabtree Cancer Fund: www.jccancerfund.org/donate