ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Family extends their sincere thanks to everyone for your prayers and all gestures of kindness shown to us during our time of bereavement. We pray that God will continue to bless each of you as you have blessed us.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Matthew Stickland, MD and Staff, Theodore Hong, MD and Staff Massachusetts General Hospital
Kirsten Engel, MD and Staff, Susan Howe, Nurse Case Manager Phillips House at Massachusetts General Hospital
months. She invited family, friends, and the like to her home to enjoy her authentic southern cuisine. She was blessed with the ability to make all foods taste amazing!
OBITUARY
Mary Crawford Sunrise
January 9, 1936
Sunset
October 8, 2023
Sister Mary Elizabeth Crawford arrived in this life January 9, 1936 and departed to glory Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the Phillips House: Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. She was one of twenty children born to the late Wilson & Vonnie Smith in Ludowisi, Georgia When she was a child, Mary and her family moved to Jesup, Georgia, where she attended the Wayne County School System, and became a member of The Church of God and Christ. In the late 1950's Mary met her late husband, Robert J. Crawford of Archer, Florida while he was stationed at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia. After his honorable discharge from the United States Army, Robert and Mary were united in Holy Matrimony and made their home in Cambridge, MA, moving several years later to Dorchester, MA. Mary was gainfully employed at Joseph Pollack Corporation until her retirement on March 3, 2000. Mary loved to take family trips to her home state of Georgia, as well as to her late husband's home state of Florida to visit her children, parents, relatives, and in-laws. Family was important to Mary. She and her husband would always welcome relatives into their home who, like them, wanted to migrate north to Massachusetts. Mary was the most "gifted cook." It was a joy to watch her load up her kitchen with groceries and "cook up a storm," especially during the holidays. She made candied yams and many other dishes that would “melt in your mouth!” Mary also loved to host family cookouts during the summer
Mary was also best known for her "southern twang." After years of living in Massachusetts, she maintained her southern accent and would politely tell the world that her accent wasn't going anywhere. Mary would share that it was her trademark and how she represented the south. Mary believed it an honor to be a “Georgian.” She was very proud of her heritage, southern roots, and upbringing, and refused to forget from whence she came. Mary also had a knack for making people laugh without trying. She had a great sense of humor, was a delight to be around, was always extremely uplifting, and had a smile that would brighten anyone’s day. Mary was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother with a generous spirit. She always prayed the very best for her children, and was instrumental in helping them attain their goals. She made sure that her children had everything they needed and wanted for that matter. Mary also prayed the best for her grandchildren. She supported them in any way she could. Mary loved her grandchildren, and they loved her! Mary was a blessing and support to all that knew her. She was a very wise woman, and did not mind sharing her motherly advice and wisdom with both young and old. Mary is survived by her daughters, Debra Ann Towns of Reedsville, GA, Mary L. Gray, Kim Crawford, and Robin E. Crawford all of Boston, MA; 4 sisters: Easter Lee Perry, Ida Mae Kimble & Voncile Smith, all of Jesup, GA, and Earleen Wigfall of Boston, MA; 6 brothers: Carroll Hines of New Jersey, Bernard Smith of New York, Herman Smith & David E. Smith of Jesup, GA, Don Smith & Maasai Leoso Tiye of Atlanta, GA; 1 sister-in-law: Audrey Crawford of Archer, FL, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends. IN DEDICATION This Home Going Service Is Dedicated In Loving Memory Of: Mary’s husband, the late Mr. Robert J. Crawford Mary’s daughter, the late Yvonne Darden
Mary’s son, the late Reginald Crawford
O B I T U A R Y
ORDER OF SERVICE Officiant: Rev. Dr. Conley Hughes, Jr. Senior Pastor Concord Baptist Church
Processional Invocation.......Rev. Dr. Conley Hughes, Jr., Pastor Opening Hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” Scripture Readings................Brother Clyde Bosket Old Testament...................... Psalm 23 New Testament................... John 11:25-26 Remarks.......................................Regina Crawford Selection.................................Sister Darlene Wynn Obituary................................Brother Clyde Bosket Poem.................................... Brother Clyde Bosket “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me” Selection .............................. Sister Darlene Wynn Eulogy .......... Rev. Dr. Conley Hughes, Jr., Pastor Recessional ......................... Brother Clyde Bosket “Going Up Yonder”
COMMITTAL GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Mount Hope Cemetery VETERAN SECTION Boston, Massachusetts
CRIPTURES
O R D E R O F S E R V I C E
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. Refrain Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Refrain Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain
L O V I N G M E M O R I E S