Beverly Brown Crews

Beverly Brown Crews, a compassionate nurse and dedicated social worker, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Born on January 7, 1936, Beverly's journey through life was marked by her unwavering commitment to caring for others.

Beverly graduated in 1958 from the Duke University School of Nursing, where she was an esteemed member of the Nursing School’s Leadership Society. After raising her children, Beverly returned to work, merging her nursing expertise with a strong belief in the value of social work. In 1979 she was appointed as the social work liaison for the Infant Development Program in Lock Haven, PA, where she played a crucial role in extending clinical services to the Amish community in the region.

In 1982, Beverly returned to North Carolina and rejoined the hospital staff at her alma mater, Duke University. Here she excelled as a Nurse Clinician in the public-facing OBGYN Clinic and was instrumental in opening several new units, including the Combined Medical Services Unit (CMSU) and the Gastroenterology (GI) Clinic. In 1986, Beverly collaborated with the British physician Dr. Peter Cotton, M.D., to establish the Duke University Hospital's internationally renowned endoscopy education program for physicians and the endoscopy clinic. Throughout her 19-year tenure at DUH, Beverly was dedicated to making a profound impact on the lives of her patients.

Beverly is survived by her three daughters: Jean (Bill) Crews-Klein of Leland, NC; Cathy (Don) VanLiew of Apex, NC; Susan (Kevin) Crews-Munnell of Bellefonte, PA. Six grandchildren: Samuel (Melissa) Klein of Winnabow, NC; Ashley Klein of Atlanta, GA; Josh (Kari) VanLiew of Caldwell, ID; Nicole VanLiew of Denver, CO; Molly Munnell of Lewisberry, PA; and Britt Munnell of Blasdell, NY. Beverly also had two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Mackenzie Klein of Winnabow, NC. She is also survived by her two sisters, Peggy Brown Stivers and Jane Brown Tomberlin, both of Hickory, NC. Her parents who preceded her in death, Henry Wakefield Brown of Greensboro and Margaret Elizabeth (Weatherman) Brown of Winston-Salem spent their married lives in Hickory, NC.

The family wishes to thank the staff and administrators of the 3200 unit at Duke Raleigh Hospital for the compassionate care Beverly received while with them. The family’s appreciation is also extended to the nurses, doctors, and other staff of the Duke Hospice Program for the care and empathy which they so readily gave to Beverly and members of her family.

Those desiring to remember Beverly are encouraged to support the Duke HomeCare and Hospice Program at 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27704, or their online giving site at https://www.givetodukeathome.org or the hospice program of their choosing. Beverly's legacy of care and compassion will be remembered by her children and all those whose lives she touched.