Claude Crawford
Claude Crawford

Obituary of Claude Ellis Crawford

Claude Ellis Crawford, 82 years old, passed away Thursday, August 16, 2018, after a lengthy illness. 

 

Claude was born in Fall Branch, graduated from Fall Branch High School, and enjoyed many high school reunions with his classmates.  He also graduated from Steed Business College. He was saved at the age of 11, and later baptized.  He joined the United States Marine Corps after high school and served 10 years for this country, stationed in Japan, Korea, California, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  Upon his return, he worked at Eastman Chemical Company for 30 years until his retirement.  Over the years, he served as a parole officer, deacon, youth leader, teacher, as choir member.  For 10 years, he was blessed to sing bass in The Eternals Evangelistic Association quartet called The Eternals, which he founded by faith and many came to Christ through this ministry.  Claude was a member of Tri-Cities Baptist Church, where he enjoyed many years of singing in the choir and with the Grateful Hearts quartet.  Most importantly, he was a faithful husband to his loving wife Edna for 59 years.  They traveled to every state, except Alaska, plus Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Islands, Canada, Bermuda and Caribbean Islands.  During his illness, she took their vows seriously and cared for him until “death it did part.”  He was a wise, loving dad to his children, “Pa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in whom he faithfully instilled an accurate picture of the Heavenly Father by the life he led.  He was an excellent steward of the resources God provided. He had the spiritual gifts of faith, evangelism, and giving, and lived them out in a way that was an example to his family, friends, and strangers.  Above all, he lived out I Corinthians 13, because he knew how to love those around him. Even through his great suffering, he pointed others to Christ and loved them.  He truly made a difference in this world. 

 

He was predeceased by his parents, Wilburn and Nancy Crawford, Fall Branch; sisters Opal Crawford, Dessie Crawford, Lorraine (Crawford) Blair, and Catherine (Crawford, Reedy) Harr; and brothers Edward, Joseph Daniel (J.D.), Eugene Crawford.

 

Surviving are his beloved wife of 59 years, Edna Whitson Crawford; daughter Tammy (Crawford) McFaddin and husband Tony; daughter Jennifer Crawford; and son Roderick Crawford and wife Lisa.  Also surviving are 5 grandsons, Micah McFaddin, Kingsport; Zach McFaddin, San Antonio, Texas; Seth McFaddin and wife Andrea, Bristol; Noah McFaddin, Knoxville; and Gage LeFevre, Jonesborough; as well as 2 great-grandsons Jackson Daniel McFaddin and Samuel Lewis McFaddin, Bristol.  Claude has 1 brother surviving, H. Willard Crawford and wife Barbara, Fall Branch; and 2 sisters, Mary Lynn (Crawford) Phillips Gentry, Fall Branch; and Lucille Kincheloe, Jonesborough; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews. 

 

Special thanks to niece Shirley Butler, nurse Heather Meredith, physical therapist Ashley Bailey.  Your loving care and friendship meant a lot to him.  Thanks also to the faithful friends and family who prayed, visited, called, sang songs in person or video, and sent encouraging cards or messages. You made a difference.  Also special thanks to the kind and loving medical teams at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Affair Medical Center, who have become “family” during the nearly 4 month stay in ICU.  God bless you and your ministry!

 

Pallbearers will be his 5 grandsons and son-in-law Tony McFaddin. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Chandler, Hubert Loggins, Alton Pace, Harold Pierce, Dr. Dale Whitson, Bill Whitson, Bill Williams, and David Gschwind.

 

The funeral service will be held Sunday, August 19, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Tri-Cities Baptist Church.  Receiving of friends will follow the service.  Burial will be conducted by the U.S. Marine Corp. Honor Guard on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Mountain Home National Cemetery, 53 Memorial Avenue, Mountain Home (Johnson City).  TN 37684. Family and friends attending the graveside service are asked to meet at the funeral home by 11:45 am to go into procession. 

 

His favorite verses to quote were Romans 10:9-10:  “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.cartertrent.com.

 

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Crawford family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Claude Crawford, please visit Tribute Store
Sunday
19
August

Funeral Service

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Tri-Cities Baptist Church
171 Promise Land Dr
Gray, Tennessee, United States
Sunday
19
August

Visitation

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Tri-Cities Baptist Church
171 Promise Land Dr
Gray, Tennessee, United States
Monday
20
August

Military Graveside Service

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Monday, August 20, 2018
Mountain Home National Cemetery
53 Memorial Avenue
Mountain Home , Tennessee, United States
(423)-979-3535
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