Laretha Jean Crawford

Laretha Jean Crawford

Private family graveside services for Laretha Jean Crawford, 74, of Gladewater will be held at Kilgore Memorial Gardens. Laretha, also known as Jeanne, moved from this life to her heavenly home on Sunday, October 11, 2020.

Jeanne was born on September 13, 1946 in Valliant, Oklahoma to Calvin and Earlene Rose. She became a wife on December 7, 1964 at the age of 18. She and her husband Richard truly became one. They shared a rare and special bond. At age 20 she became a mother. She was the most loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that anyone could ever have. At 23, Jeanne became a pastor’s wife. She was a steadfast servant of the Lord’s churches for over 50 years. She was a faithful, godly example of what a Christian should be. She played piano, sang, and directed choirs; taught Sunday school; and directed and taught vacation bible schools. Jeanne also taught in the Ladies Auxiliary and served as a Ladies Auxiliary President for the American Baptist Association. She taught people how to teach and how to lead others to Christ. Jeanne dedicated her life to God, her family, and others.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a great granddaughter, Kathryn Marie Crawford.

Jeanne is survived by her husband Richard Crawford of Gladewater; son, Rodney Wayne Crawford and wife Sherri of Gladewater; daughter, Melissa Cooper and husband Aaron of Springfield, Illinois; grandsons, Nick Cooper of Albuquerque, New Mexico, John Crawford and wife Dawn of Gladewater, and Ben Cooper of Fairbanks, Alaska; granddaughter Sara Dandridge and husband Joe of Tyler; three great grandchildren, Jade, Micheal, and Noah; sisters, Brenda Coolidge and husband Jim of Rufe, Oklahoma and Kay Hillsman of Valliant, Oklahoma; brother, Calvin Rose Jr. of Valliant, Oklahoma; and she also leaves behind to mourn her passing four aunts and three uncles, brothers and sisters in law, many cousins, more than 200 nieces and nephews, friends from around the country, as well as a loving church family that she held near and dear to her heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make memorial gifts in her honor to the Pine Springs Baptist Camp in Laneville, Texas or a memorial of your choice.