Citadel Alumni Obituaries

Jesse (Jay) Turner Crawford Jr., 84, of Roanoke Rapids, NC passed away June
22, 2012 at his home. Jay was born March 11, 1928 in Anderson, SC to the
late Major Jesse Turner Crawford Sr. and Rose Cheek Crawford. He was
pre-deceased by his sister Marguerite Crawford Acker and her husband Lt.
Colonel Halbert Hammond Acker. After graduating from Whitmire High School in
1945, he graduated from The Citadel in 1949 where he was Captain of Company
A and honored as a Distinguished Military Student. He was commissioned a 2nd
Lt. U.S. Army Reserve. He was called to active duty in 1952 and served with
the 3rd US Army, 56 Gun Battalion at Camp Stewart, Georgia until 1953. Upon
being released from active duty he returned to work for J.P. Stevens in
Cheraw, SC. He was promoted to plant manager and moved to Roanoke Rapids in
1963. After 42 years of service, he retired in 1990. He loved quail hunting
on and managing his tree farms in Warren County. While in Cheraw Jay served
as Superintendent of the Sunday School and Deacon of the First Presbyterian
Church. In Roanoke Rapids he served as Superintendent of the Sunday School
and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Junior
Chamber of Commerce, Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, Kiwanis
Club and served as a member of the Roanoke Rapids School Board for 13 years.
Jay was measured, deliberate, and thoughtful in the words he spoke and the
way he lived his life, always standing up for what he believed. He was
devoted to his family, loved children and young adults and always took time
to provide guidance and a listening ear. Jay was a gracious host who enjoyed
his friends and family immensely – Southern hospitality was a large part of
the home he and his wife created. A funeral service will be held Monday at 2
pm, First Presbyterian Church Roanoke Rapids. A reception will be held
following the service in the Loy Building. Burial will be Wednesday, June
27th at the Church of Our Savior, Trenton SC. Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral
home is handling arrangements. Jay is survived by his wife of 63 years,
Carolyn Vann Crawford, two sons, Jesse Vann Crawford (Rachel) of Greensboro,
NC; Jesse Turner Crawford III (Valerie) of Walkerton, VA; and one daughter,
Marguerite Carolyn Crawford of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Ashley Crawford
of Manchester, CT, Rebecca Crawford of Greensboro, NC, Sarah Crawford of
Walkerton, VA, Christine O’Keefe (Chris) of New Kent, VA and Jesse Turner
Crawford IV of Walkerton, VA as well many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu
of flowers memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 16 East 5th
Street, Roanoke Rapids NC, The Citadel, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC
29409 or The Church of Our Savior, c/o A. Day, 529 Hwy 121, Johnston, SC
29832.

Tags: 1949