Flora Geneva Atkins Crawford, age 99, of Morganton, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Flora lived independently until the day she died. On the day of her passing, she went to church and out to lunch with her family. She came home, walked around her yard to see her flowers, sat down in her chair for a nap, and awoke in the arms of Jesus.
Flora was born March 3, 1923, in Fannin County, to Ben and Vesta Atkins. She attended Young Harris College, graduated from North Georgia College, and taught school at Maple Grove.
Flora married the great love of her life, Silvie Crawford, December 19, 1945, and they were married 67 wonderful years. Flora and Silvie spent half of their married lives in New Ellenton, South Carolina, where Silvie worked for the Savannah River Plant and Flora worked as a homemaker and Girl Scout troop leader. They returned home to their beloved mountains in 1980 when Silvie retired from SRP. Flora loved flowers, was an avid reader, and faithfully taught the children’s Sunday school class at Bethel United Methodist Church until the COVID-19 pandemic halted in-person Sunday school.
She was devoted to her family and was affectionately known as Mama Crawford by children and adults alike. She considered all of the children in her extended family to be her grandchildren and delighted in singing to each one, “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!” Even until the week of her passing, she was a champion car racer and train racer with her great-great-nephew, Jack.
Flora was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters and two brothers.
She is survived by her son, David (Lisa) Crawford, of Morganton; daughter, Margaret Crawford, of Morganton; grandson, John (Kerry) Crawford, of Marietta, Georgia; grandson, Jason Crawford, of Canton, Georgia; granddaughter, Dr. Jessica Paris, of Lutz, Florida; granddaughter Olivia (Jake) Boro, of Alcoa, Tennessee; great-granddaughter, Clare Crawford; great-grandsons, Levi and Owen Crawford; step-grandson, Jason (Amanda) Osgatharp of Chatsworth, Georgia; step-granddaughter, Jessica (Bill) Ganus, of Memphis, Tennnessee; step-great-grandchildren, Max, Brady, and Dean Osgatharp and Layla, Ralston and James Ganus; great-great nephews, Anthony and Jack Mubanda and Benjamin Crawford; great-great niece, Lillie Crawford; special little friends, Kinsley and Emma Pertet; and a host of relatives and church family.
The family received friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, April 29, 2022, at 4 p.m. from the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tim Taylor officiating. Music was provided by Teresa Ross, Debbie Cochran and Stacie Gilreath.
Interment followed at Hemptown Cemetery. Pallbearers included Benny Crawford, John Crawford, Jason Crawford, Seth Crawford, Jake Boro and William Mubanda. Honorary pallbearers included nephews, Howell Bruce, Billy Nichols, Russell Moore, Scott Moore, Steve Atkins, Robert Atkins and Bruce Atkins.
Cochran Funeral Homes was honored to serve the family of Mrs. Flora Atkins Crawford. To send condolences to the family and sign the guest register visit www.CochranFuneralHomes.com