Jan Maree Bunton Crates' Obituary
Jan Maree Bunton Crates, 67, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, June 2nd, 2025. Jan leaves behind the love of her life, husband Bobby and her proudest accomplishment, their son Robert. Jan was born on February 27th, 1958, the second child of the late Mr. Raymond Avney and Mrs. Rose Maree Bunton. Her grandparents were Hugo F. and Vera Bunton of Smoaks, and David W. and Mopsie Easterlin of Branchville.
Jan was a member of Seacoast Church for many years. She enjoyed working with the children's ministry, Kidscoast, as Robert was growing up. She was more recently a member of Seacoast's Sisterhood Bible Study Group.
Mrs. Crates graduated as valedictorian of her class at Branchville High School and earned a business degree from the College of Charleston. She was employed for several years by Orangeburg County in the treasurer's office, and she retired as Deputy Director of Administrative Services for the Town of Mount Pleasant after 30 years of service. More importantly though, was the care she, along with Bobby, gave dear Mrs. Rose Maree Bunton in her latter years of life. Jan enjoyed going to the beach and finding sharks' teeth, being with family, and working on flowers in her yard. Jan truly had a loving, giving heart.
Jan is survived by her devoted husband, Bobby Crates, who cared for her selflessly, and their loving son, Robert Crates. Also left to cherish her memory and fun times together are three siblings: Jill (George) Kemmerlin, Ray (Robin) Bunton, and Bonnie (Randy) Antley as well as her mother-in-law, Jane Crates and brother-in-law, Jimmy Crates. Many other close family members will miss Jan, including her nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by one great aunt, Sue Weathers Shuler.
A homegoing service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 7th, 2025, at Jan's childhood church, Bowman Southern Methodist Church, 310 Reevesville Road, Bowman, SC, with the Rev. Dr. Dan Thigpen officiating. Family will receive friends one and a half hours prior to the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Lucas Antley, Tate Goodson, Philip Kemmerlin, Luke McLaughlin, David Metts, and William Metts. Burial will follow in Ebenezer United Methodist Cemetery, Bowman. The family will also be holding a time of visitation and fellowship in the gymnasium at First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant, 681 McCants Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC, on June 6th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Kidscoast, Samaritan's Purse or to First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant. The family would like to offer a special acknowledgement of the following: Jan's lifelong friend Dale Thompson Robinson, cousin David Metts, caregiver Theresa Hamilton, Dr. John Williamson, Roper Oncology 5th floor medical teams, and Roper Home Health team (Janie, Aimee, Tina, Monica, and Taylor). Arrangements have been entrusted to Ott Funeral Home, Branchville, South Carolina.
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