Sylvia Denise (Moore) Crenshaw

Sylvia Moore Crenshaw, 76, of Rockingham, passed away peacefully at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC, on April 13, 2023, after a brief illness. 

She was born March 9, 1947, in Rockingham, daughter of the late Charles Robert “Bob” Moore and Ida Frances “Lett” Moore, also of Rockingham. She was a graduate of Rohanen High School and attended East Carolina University.

Along with her parents and husband, Mrs. Crenshaw was the proprietor of numerous jewelry stores in North Carolina. She began working as a teenager at her father’s store, Plaza Jewelers in Rockingham. Later she and her husband opened and operated Tri-City Jewelers and then The Diamond Mart in Rockingham. She was also co-owner of Carolina Jewelers in Monroe NC and Lenoir NC. She thoroughly enjoyed her customers, watching them grow from young children as she pierced their ears, to teenagers and young adults picking out “pre-engagement rings,” to adults picking out wedding sets, Mother’s rings, watches, fine anniversary pieces, and special Christmas gifts for loved ones.

After retiring from the jewelry business, she enjoyed being “Teeta” to her grandchildren, spending time with them at the beach and at their sporting events, and watching the hummingbirds and squirrels in her beautiful lawn. She was a smart, hilarious, kind, and classy woman who walked the walk of “simply love and take care of one another.”

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Crenshaw was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years Elliott “Sonny” Crenshaw of Rockingham; baby sister Gloria Darnell Moore; sister-in-law Anne Gautreaux of Gonzales, LA; and childhood/family friend Gene Wilson of Rockingham.

Mrs. Crenshaw is survived by daughters Pam Spain (Curry) of Apex, NC; Julie Jacobs (Trey) of Rockingham, NC; son-in-law Jason Jacobs of Fayetteville, NC; sister Bonnie Fruscello (Tony) of Greenville, SC; grandchildren Cameron Spain, Noah Spain, and Connor Jacobs; brother-in-law Al Gautreaux; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by countless “sons and daughters from other mothers,” who thought of her as mom, friend, and confident and who she loved fiercely just when they needed love most.

At Mrs. Crenshaw’s wishes, the family will not have a visitation or service. The family will have a private gathering later at the beach-Sonny and Sylvia’s favorite place.

The family would like to express their immense gratitude to the doctors and nurses at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and especially to the staff at Hospice House in Pinehurst. Her hospice nurse, Lorraine Mallard, deserves a special thank you for the exceptionally loving and kind care she provided to Mrs. Crenshaw and to her family. Lorraine made everything peaceful and beautiful.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Crenshaw would love for any memorials to be made to the Richmond County Humane Society (https://humanesocietyofrichmondcounty.org/) or to the Clara McLean House in Pinehurst, NC (https://www.firsthealth.org/clara-mclean-house).

The family is being served by Midstate Cremation and Funeral Service in Asheboro, NC.

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