Michelle Crowder Vest

August 11, 1968 - July 2, 2018

Michelle Crowder Vest passed away on Monday, July 2nd following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She left this world to join those that she missed so much. Waiting for her arrival was her father, Butch Crowder and her in-laws Roland and Dorothy Vest. Treasuring her memory are her husband, Mike Vest; her sons, Michael Lee and Mason; mother, Donna Martin Crowder; sister, Christi Barbour (Ricky) and niece, Allison. Michelle was born and raised in small town Mechanicsville (before it became “The Ville”) where she graduated from Lee-Davis, class of ’86. After receiving her teaching degree in 1990 from VCU, she began her career in King William County Public Schools. She continued her education receiving her Master’s Degree in Literacy, Language and Culture from Longwood University in 2013. Utilizing her newfound expertise, she filled the position of Reading Specialist until her career was cut short. After 28 years of teaching at KWCPS, she reluctantly retired to focus on her health and her family. Michelle loved living life to its fullest; though not necessarily on everyone’s time schedule. She loved her boys. She enjoyed reading, trips to the beach, kicking back watching a movie and family game night. She was never afraid to take a new route or an impromptu trip. Sarcasm, laughter and dance parties were a must in her company (no matter where you were). Rest assured that Michelle and her father are together again, pickin’ crabs, eating Hanover tomatoes and sitting by the river, playing a friendly game of poker with her In-Laws. They are all together, keeping a watchful eye as her boys continue through life. It was very important to Michelle that we put the “fun” in FUNeral. With this in mind, we ask that you celebrate her rather than mourn her. Think bright colors, fun stories, cold drinks and your best pair of dancing shoes. If there were a title for most determined and tenacious cancer patient, we have no doubt she would be the title holder in both the U.S. and Mexico. Make no mistake - she did it her way. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 11th at Old Town Farm, 370 Pocahontas Trail, King William, VA 23086. A memorial service will be held at Sharon Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 12th with a reception following at Old Town Farm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to Sharon Baptist Church, 901 Sharon Rd, King William, VA 23086. If you’d like to help pass along Michelle’s passion of children’s literacy, please bring new children’s books to the visitation and/or service or simply read to a child.