Raymond Benjamin Crawley (“R.B.”) of Huntsville, Alabama, went home to heaven on Wednesday, March 18, at the age of 94.
R.B. was born March 12, 1926 in Kennedy, Alabama to parents Henry and Ada Crawley. He was one of thirteen children. At age 17, R.B. left school to enlist in the Army during WWII. After serving in both the European and Pacific theaters he returned home to finish high school in 1948 at Kennedy School. He was the last surviving member of his combat unit. After graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Thresa Cline (Crawley) on Christmas Eve 1948. The young couple moved to Birmingham, Alabama where they raised their family and R.B. worked as foreman at ACIPCO for over 30 years.
R.B. served as a deacon and treasurer at Sandusky Church of Christ in Forestdale. He later served as an elder and minister for Brookside Church of Christ, during which time he preached each Sunday, performed marriages, and baptized many new believers. When he was not at ACIPCO he was working on Bible lessons or in the community visiting and encouraging people, teaching the Bible, and wearing his “Win a Soul for Christ” button on his suit lapel. He and “T” often opened their home and had people over for Sunday dinner. They were also known for driving people to & from church services. R.B. was a founding member of the former West Birmingham Christian School in Forestdale. He also participated in the fund-raising efforts of the Aphasoid Foundation, an organization that helped special needs children, including his son Timothy.
Upon his retirement from ACIPCO, R.B., Thresa and Tim moved back to Lamar County and lived in the Kingville community where he was an active member of the Kingville Church of Christ. His love was being outside in his big garden where he harvested and preserved the vegetables and fruits. He shared the abundance with neighbors and friends in the community, always giving a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was proud of his fine blueberry bushes and orchard.
During the last 10 years, R.B. and Thresa moved to Huntsville to be closer to family and to enjoy time spent with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
R.B. is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Thresa Cline Crawley, and three children, Deborah Crawley Faught (Nicky), Timothy Crawley, and Denise Crawley Gothard (Andy), 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, a sister, Ruth Crawley Grzenda, a brother, Tom Crowley, and a number of nieces and nephews.
R.B. lived life with enthusiasm and a love for God, his fellow man and his country. He loved studying his Bible and teaching the gospel. Countless friends and acquaintances have shared stories of how he was there when they needed someone the most. “Well done, good and faithful servant – enter into the joys of your Lord.” (Mt. 25:21)
Daddy wanted only a grave side service but due to the current concerns of the COVID-19 virus there will be no services at this time. Condolences and personal messages to the family can be left on the website for the Chandler Funeral Home, Vernon, Alabama at www.chandlerfh.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Monrovia church of Christ, 595 Nance Road, Madison, Alabama 35757, and marked for “Missions”.
