Carter Funeral Home announces the transition of Mr. Terry Crawford of Union Springs, Alabama on December 28, 2019.

Mr. Crawford, 58, a retired educator of the Bullock County Public School System was also an Honorably Discharged Veteran of the United States Army.

Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 1:00 pm from the sanctuary of the Old Sardis Missionary Baptist Church: Dr. James .Gochett, pastor.

The eulogy will be delivered by Elder Della Crawford Murray.

Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Jones Chapel AME Cemetery.

Public visitation will be held Friday, January 3, 2020 from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Carter Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends Saturday at the Old Sardis Missionary Baptist Church two hours prior to Celebration of Life Services.

On September 29, 1961, God blessed the union of the late Fred Crawford, Sr. & Lizzie Simmons Crawford with a precious baby boy they named Terry Crawford. He was the eighth child born to this union, and would add to what later became known as the “The Crawford Clan”. His mother always identified him a “special” child, as he was born with “the veil” over his eyes, which is said to be a gift from God.

At an early age, he confessed Christ as his personal Savior and united with the Jones Chapel A.M.E. Church, where he was currently serving as a Steward. He knew the importance and rewards of serving and worshipping a true and living God. He would testify of God’s goodness whenever the opportunity was presented.

He was educated in the Bullock County School System and was graduate with the “Class of 1979” where he earned the title of “Class Clown” and honored that title with his whole heart. He attended John Patterson Technical College where he received his degree in Automotive Engineering. He received his educator certification from Auburn University. He also received several other certifications from Trenholm State Technical College.

Terry was united in Holy Matrimony to his high school sweetheart, Patricia Cooks. Their union produced four children, Taureaun, Kristen, Terry, & Kimberly.

He truly believed that a man should work from sweat of his brows. He enlisted in the United States Army National Guard, and was honorably discharged in 1997. His first professional career began with the Macon County Commission as a mechanic. He later joined his father and became employed with the Bullock County Commission, serving as a mechanic. He also worked for CATCO in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as the Business Operations Manager. His final employment was with the Bullock County Board of Education where he designed and taught the curriculum for Automotive Technology with the Career Technical Program and later became the Supervisor of the Transportation Department. He retired in 2011 with more than 20 years of service.

Terry’s pride and joy was found in his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them. Some of his hobbies included fishing, fixing cars, playing cards, repairing things, and knick-knacking with different homemade gadgets . He also enjoyed spending quality time with his brothers and friends, and looked forward to their Annual Super Bowl Tradition.

God came back to claim Terry during the morning hours of December 27, 2019 at Grady Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. He was surrounded by his wife and children. He definitely put up a good fight until God decided that he had fought long enough.

He is predeceased by a grandson-- Baby CristoferCrawford, his parents—Fred Crawford, Sr. and Lizzie Crawford, mother in-law—Mable Cooks, brother- Fred Crawford, Jr., nephews—Wharton “Chris” Murray and Anthony “Man” Williams, Special Friend/Brother in-law—Artis Williams.

Terry leaves to cherish his legacy and memories, his loving and devoted wife of 33 years, Patricia Cooks Crawford. Four caring children—Taureaun (Tachara), Montgomery, Alabama. Kristen, Terry, & Kimberly, Union Springs, Alabama. A son whom he loved and reared as his own, Chrismoses (Austrailia) Tolliver, Stone Mountain, Georgia.His grandchildren—TyQuarius, Cameron, & TalayehCrawford Chrismoses, Jr. & Choice Tolliver. He also leaves behind his siblings: Willie Crawford, Maxine (Harry) Hicks, Della (Wharton) Murray, Susan (Clarence) Wheeler, Alfred Crawford, Beverly Williams, Robert (Beverly) Crawford, Mark (Valerie) Crawford, Anthony (Valerie) Crawford, and Eric Crawford. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Vera Davis, Mable McKinnon, Shepherd Cooks, Annie Lois (Webster) Youngblood, Ruby (Kelvin) Stephens, Leola Cooks, and Martin (Martha) Cooks, Cora Crawford, Alberta Cooks, Lucy Cooks, Ruthie Cooks.

Terry formed lasting bonds with those he considered to be siblings: Bill Beachem, Doris Cox Robinson, Annette Smith, Fannie Lockwood, Bruce Smith, and Bennie Cole.

Memories will also be cherished his Godchildren-- Derrick King, Sean Dees, Adrienne Harmon and Ashley Williams. Adoptive Grandchildren: Darrica and Harolyn King. Longtime friends—Terrence Walton, Mackel Williams, and Ivan Caldwell

Other Special Friends: Robert McDuffie, Jimmy Armstrong, Louise Banks, Joseph Jernigan, Mitchell Stanley, Jerry Maddox, Raymond Rogers,

During his tenure with the Bullock County Board of Education, “Mr. C” as affectionately called by most who worked with him, he developed some lasting friendshipswith colleagues including “The Original Bullock County High School and CTC Faculty and Staff” and the Bullock County Transportation Department.

Mr. Crawford has also impacted the lives of so many students in Bullock County as a mentor, teacher, andTransportation Director. Most of those bonds remained steady until the end of his earthly life.

Mr. Crawford never met a stranger and left a lasting impression on all that ever met him. The Staff of Carter Funeral Home is honored to support the Crawford family with End of Life Services.