Opal Geraldine Hancock “Jeri” Crawford
October 5, 1938 – May 4, 2019
Funeral services for Opal Geraldine Hancock “Jeri” Crawford, 80, of Cairo, GA, are at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Long Branch Baptist Church, Cairo, GA. Rev. Jeff Ezell and Rev. Rod Brinkley will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Cairo, GA. Mrs. Crawford passed away at her home in Cairo, GA, on Saturday, May 4, 2019.
Active pallbearers will be her grandsons, David Davis, Joey Sarver, Trey Pippin, Kyle Crawford, Gage Schultz, Cameron Schultz and Landen Schultz. Honorary pallbearers will be her Joy Sunday School Class Members.
Mrs. Crawford was born on October 5, 1938, in Cairo, GA, to the late Thomas Clyde Hancock and Velma Ruth Willis Hancock. At the age of 6 years old, her future husband, Howard Crawford, taught her how to ride a bike. “Jeri” and Howard were married on February 8, 1955. At the age of 17 years old, she joined her husband and traveled the world as an Air Force spouse. Years later, she entered the workforce and enjoyed jobs from bookkeeping to boat plant manager; but waitressing was her favorite of all.
Her devotion to family and a firm belief in God supported her through cancer, heart and lung disease and ultimately gave her peace. She was a loving mother and homemaker and enjoyed preparing meals and cakes for her family and church functions. She loved and adored all her family. There was a very special place in her heart for her many nieces, and nephews, and also her church family, Long Branch Baptist Church. She will be missed dearly; but her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and loving soul will live in our hearts forever.
Survivors include: her husband, Howard C. Crawford of Cairo, GA; sons, Nicky C. Crawford (Yong) of Columbus, GA, Keith Crawford (Amber) of Whigham, GA, Jody Schultz (Kim) of Leesburg, GA; daughters, Susan Davis (Dennis) of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Cindy Garrett (Alan) of Dora, NM; grandchildren, Angela Crawford (Dustin) of Navarre, FL, Kimberly Crawford of Columbus, GA, April Sarver (Joey) of Fort Walton Beach, FL, David Davis (Becki) of Crestview, FL, Kyle Crawford, Megan Crawford, Crystal Shepard, all of Whigham, GA, Trey Pippin (Mary) of Navarre, FL, Christie Brewer (Joshua) of Springfield, MO, Sara Marks (Chris) of Bury St. Edmunds, England, Cameron Schultz, Gage Schultz, Landen Schultz, all of Leesburg, GA, Elizabeth Luccketta (Rion) of Little Rock, AR, Joshua Garrett of Dora, NM; 10 + 2 great-grandchildren; brother, Benny Hancock of Kansas; sisters, Rebecca Welker (Danny) of Thomasville, GA, Linda Tilley of Cairo, GA, Lanay Dixon (Buck) of Cairo, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Perry Hancock.
The family extends special thanks to all the medical staff for taking such good care of our “Mama.” Memorials may be made in Mrs. Crawford’s memory to: Archbold Foundation, Attention-Vann Middleton, Hospice of SW Georgia, 910 S. Broad Street, Thomasville, GA 31792.
The family will receive friends at Clark Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
