Arizona Obituary Archive

Search      Post Obituary


Beatrice Maxine (Bea) (Gray) Crawford

Posted 2008-10-14 by Pat Wilson
The Arizona Daily Star
January 16, 2005

Beatrice Maxine Gray Crawford - Died January 10, 2005 at her home in Tucson, AZ. She was 85. Born November 4, 1919 in Ross County, Ohio to Frederick T. and Bessie STRAIN GRAY, she attended Buckskin High School and Cedarville College earning a Teacher's Certificate with honors.

On November 20, 1941, she married Charles Samuel Crawford and together they raised five children. "Bea", as she was known to family and friends, taught elementary school in Ohio and was a substitute teacher in Tucson, AZ.

She and husband, Charles, were partners in building and operating Crawford Development & Mfg. and Crawford Screw Machine Products in Tucson for 22 years.

Bea's life was devoted to encouraging the potential in children and youth, serving the physical and spiritual needs of those who entered her life, and practicing a life of faith and stewardship. She served as an officer and volunteer for organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Sahuaro Council of the Girl Scouts of America, Parent Teacher Associations and the Community Food Bank. She was active in the Bethany Church in Lebanon, OH, and Rincon Congregational Church and Christ Church United Methodist in Tucson, AZ.

A certified Lay Speaker, Bea substituted for pastors all over Arizona. Over the years she served as delegate to the International United Methodist Conference held in Great Britain, held many committee positions for the Desert Southwest Conference and South District and served on many boards and committees in the local Church and United Methodist Women.

Raised in a musical family, Bea enjoyed playing the piano, singing with her family, directing the children's choirs and singing in the Chancel Choir at church for many years. An avid outdoors person, she was a staunch supporter of the youth and family camp experience.

She served on camp boards, as Arts and Crafts Director, and Camp Counselor for Whispering Pines and Pine Canyon Camp. Bea and Charlie also started a Sunday morning ministry for the children living at the Asthmatic Foundation and founded the Sunday morning ministry for the residents of Valley House Nursing Home, which she led for 14 years.

In later years she assisted other seniors with daily life skills. She was a source of guidance, strength, inspiration and love to her family and all those she touched.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Frank, Charles T., Paul and Dean Gray; her husband, Charles and daughter, Susan Margaret Crawford.

She is survived by brother, David Gray, Bainbridge, Ohio; son, Frederick Crawford (Cris), Tucson, AZ; daughters, Dr. Leta Crawford-Miksza, Berkeley, California, Marilee Crawford, Tucson, AZ, Carolyn Crawford Glancey (Tom), San Diego, CA; nine grandchildren, Lt. Frederick Crawford, Jr. (Lydia), Martinsburg, West Virginia, Terri Circelli (Albert), Webster, New York, Wendi Crawford, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ami Loper (Timothy), Tempe, AZ, Susan Shobe (Staffan Schorr), Tucson, AZ, Betsy Murphy (Eric), Bagdad, AZ, Kathryn Shobe (Shane Hankins), Marana, AZ, Andrew Miksza and David Miksza, Berkeley, CA and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held January 30th at Christ Church United Methodist, 650 N. Craycroft, Tucson, AZ, 85711. Beatrice was interred with Charles at East Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the Beatrice M. Crawford Pine Canyon Memorial Fund. Please contact Christ Church Untied Methodist (520) 327-1116 for information.




Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

Questions About This Project?