Obituaries

Gloria Crawford

Photo of Gloria Crawford
Gloria Dean Crawford, age 83, of California, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2011, in Marietta, Ga. Gloria was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and she will be dearly missed, until we her family and friends, as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, join her in heaven. Gloria was born May 27, 1928, in California, the daughter of Wardley and Maude Francis, both of whom preceded her in death. Gloria was married in California on August 23, 1948, to Allen Boyd Crawford, who also preceded her in death. Gloria and Allen were blessed with over 58 years of marriage together. Gloria earned an Associate of Arts degree from Florissant Valley Community College, and worked as an administrative assistant at Florissant Valley Community College and for the State of Missouri, in Jefferson City. Gloria was an active member of the First Baptist Church of California, the First Baptist Church of Ferguson, and Friendship Baptist Church, serving as a choir member and in several other service capacities during her many years as an active Christian. After raising their children in St. Louis County from 1950 to 1981, Gloria and Allen moved to their dream retirement home on a cattle farm south of California, where they lived until health required a move to assisted living in 2006. Gloria enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, Christian music, and was an accomplished pianist. Gloria recently resided in Marietta, Ga., near immediate family, from June 2008 until her passing. Survivors include two sons, Ron Crawford with his wife Gwenalee of Roswell, Ga., and Hal Crawford of Carlsbad, Calif.; a daughter, Janice Crawford with her husband Steve Hammerly of California; a sister, Viola B Papen of High Point; and a brother, Dale Francis of California; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gloria was preceded in death along with her parents, by two sisters and a brother, Marion Jenkins, Norma Jean Osterly, and John Francis, of California, and a grandson, Dr. Travis Crawford of Superior, Colo. Visitation will be Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of California with funeral services to follow at 12:30 p.m., with the Rev. Greg Morrow officiating. Burial will be in the Sappington-Community Chapel Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 (or at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp) or the Sappington-Community Chapel Cemetery, in care of Betty Emmerich at 35228 Hwy. T, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Home in California.

Published February 9, 2012