Elizabeth “Libby” Crews Bly

May 27, 1962 – January 7, 2017

Elizabeth “Libby” Crews Bly, age 54, died peaceably of natural causes on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in her mother’s home in Salisbury, N.C.

Libby is survived by her husband of 30 years CWO4 USN Ret. Arch Bly of Brinnon, Wash.; her mother Peggy Crews of Salisbury, N.C; her sister and husband, Tim and Pam Holyfield-Dean of Salisbury, N.C; her nephew Anson Holyfield of Valparaiso, Fla; her nephew Allyn Holyfield of Cheyenne, Wyo. and many more loving and adoring friends and colleagues. Libby is preceded in death by her father James Crews of Salisbury, N.C; her best friend Tammy Ludwig Brown of Salisbury, N.C and her two fur kids, Pomeranians Pierre and Penny.

Libby was born on May 27, 1962 in Winston-Salem, N.C. She attended Salisbury Christian School, graduated from Point Pleasant Bible School in West Virginia and later earned an Associate’s degree of Science. She retired in 2007 as a lead investigator for Pacific Northwest USIS for the U.S. State Department. She held the substantial responsibility as a civilian maintaining a top secret clearance and she held additional responsibilities in Washington D.C. assigned to the American Battle Monuments Commission caring for American soldiers and Sailors killed in action and buried overseas. She was a Navy wife for 30 years, serving as ombudsman and Wives Club president at five separate commands.

While in Washington D.C., she was elected President of the Navy Wives clubs of America; she worked closely with the Chief of Naval Operations in support of morale and welfare of all Navy dependents. As Libby liked to say, “I worked everywhere the Navy took me.” Libby loved her family and her pets and was a great aunt. She liked being known as a “southern girl” and she would not travel without her teddy bear “Henry.” Libby was a social, active lady who was deeply involved in her community for the majority of her life.

She enjoyed new food and loved southern food, books, and traveling. Her family and friends will always remember her as a very intelligent with strikingly fast wit and highly comedic person. Her favorite quote is “For I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

There will be a small intimate ceremony at the family private cemetery on Saturday. She and her two fur kids who were both lost in 2016 will be laid to rest together. On Sunday part of her ashes will be placed in her favorite creek in Bat Cave, N.C. by the surviving members of her family. The family would like to thank everyone for their condolences and if you wish to express a contribution, please do so as a donation to PAWS, SPCA or the AHA.

Carolina Cremation of Salisbury is serving the Bly family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.