Faith at forefront of author, editor's life

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
The Archdiocese of Mobile lost a champion of the Catholic faith as former editor of “The Catholic Week” and author Anna Crow died March 12 at the age of 98.
Mrs. Crow served 18 years with “The Catholic Week,” including a three-year stint as editor. She also compiled and published five books, each detailing some history or ministry in the archdiocese. 
“There were two main themes about my mother’s life – faith and family,” said her son, Dr. Joseph Crow. “Everything else was a distant third. She lived it every day.”
While she retired from "The Catholic Week" in 1989, she certainly did not stop writing. In fact, she completed her final book which highlighted The Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence, at the age of 91. Mrs. Crow spent her final eight years at the Sacred Heart Residence.
Mrs. Crow also published books on McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, Visitation Monastery, Carmelite Monastery and the Portier House.
“The basket of time given to Anna on this earth was used by Anna to the fullest and utmost extent,” said Fr. Mark Neske in his homily at Mrs. Crow’s Mass of Christian Burial on March 18 at St. Ignatius Parish. “She was a good steward of her time - always going, always doing, always helping. Underneath all this going, doing, helping was her love for the Lord. This love is what drove Anna. This love is what defined Anna at the deepest level.”
Along with her writing skills, she shared her talents in many parish and archdiocesan volunteer positions. She was a previous president of the Mobile District Council of Catholic Women, president of the Mobile ACCW and involved with the Burse Club, Toy Bowl, Ladies of Charity, Little Sisters of the Poor Auxiliary, Providence Hospital Auxiliary, St. Catherine of Siena Club and St. Ignatius Daughters of Mary. 
Because of her service, she was honored with the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” medal from Pope St. John Paul II.
Mrs. Crow was also selected to the McGill-Toolen Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Kenny and Anna Crow Fitness Center was dedicated in her and her late husband’s honor in 2005. 
“She would instill that it was our job to live in the image of Jesus Christ – love one another and serve others,” Dr. Crow said. “This was her focus and this was how she lived her entire life.”
Mrs. Crow was married for 50 years to James Kenny Crow Sr. They raised six children. She was also grandmother to 18 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. 
Mrs. Crow graduated from Convent of Mercy in 1941 and coached volleyball and basketball at St. Catherine of Siena. 
Said Dr. Crow: “She was first and foremost a mother and housewife, but she was also a teacher, a manager, writer, editor, coach, organizer, many other titles as well. But it wasn’t what she did, it was how she did it.”
Mrs. Crow was laid to rest at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Memorials may be named to the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, St. Ignatius Building Fund or the charity of one’s choice.
Radney Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Visit www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for a complete obituary.