Joseph F. Crews was born in Uniontown, Alabama in 1925. After graduating from Uniontown High in 1943, Crews served nearly three years in the United States Army Air Corps. He then enrolled at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API, now Auburn University) from 1946-1949 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in science and literature. After graduation Crews began his 41-year career in textile manufacturing. He worked at the California Cotton Mills Plant located in Uniontown, Alabama from 1950 until 1954 when the plant closed. At this point Crews joined the Bibb Company where he spent the majority of his career. During his 26 years with the Bibb Company, Crews worked in five cities earning a variety of promotions to eventually become vice president of the Engineered Products Division. He took early retirement in 1980 and then spent ten years working as sales and merchandise manager for Shuford Mills in North Carolina. Crews retired from the textile profession in 1991.