Mara Crabtree Obituary

Rev. Dr. Mara Lief Crabtree of Virginia Beach is now in the near presence of her Lord Jesus Christ. She passed from this life on November 15, 2023, at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. She was born in Cumberland, Maryland, on February 24, 1946, the daughter of William Augustus and Dorcas Snyder (nee Tressler) Lief, who preceded in death. Mara was a graduate of Fort Hill High School in Cumberland. Mara married the love of her life and best friend, Thomas Wayne Crabtree, on August 25, 1972, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, in Cumberland. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, who passed away in 2013.

Mara held a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality from Wesley Theological Seminary, a Master of Pastoral Studies, with concentration in Ecclesial Ministry from Loyola University of New Orleans Institute for Ministry, a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Regent University's School of Divinity. Mara began her tenure at the Regent University School of Divinity as an adjunct professor in 1992. She was promoted to Visiting Professor, and then full-time faculty in 1998, where she served faithfully until her passing. She held the distinction of being one of the longest-serving faculty in the School of Divinity, serving with distinction for the past 31 years. Dr. Crabtree was a faithful scholar and theologian. She was the first woman hired as a full-time faculty member by the School of Divinity.

In addition to her academic achievements, Mara was an exceptional ecclesial leader. She was ordained in the oldest church in the Commonwealth, St. Luke's, Smithfield, Virginia, and maintained holy orders as a priest with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. Her great love was Christian spirituality and spiritual formation, which she taught and ministered passionately, with great devotion to thousands of students over the years. Both Mara and her husband Tom were members of the International Order of St. Luke, a ministerial organization devoted to the ministry of healing. Mara maintained holy orders through the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches and has served as chaplain and United States Region 2 representative for their Virginia chapters. She has also served several years on the board of Mid-Atlantic Teen Challenge.

Mara is survived by many cousins who will miss her dearly and want to thank the Regent University faculty and staff and Mara's church family for the support, love, and care they gave Mara during her active life in Virginia Beach and then as she fell ill. Regent University and her church family held a memorial service to celebrate Mara on Wednesday, November 29 at the Church of the Messiah, Chesapeake. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Inc. is handling Interment arrangements. Mara will be buried next to her husband Tom in the Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church cemetery, Orkney Springs, VA. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.