Thelma Crawford

Saturday, November 19, 2011

On Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, Mrs. Thelma Crawford passed into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.

Thelma, 93, was born the youngest of seven children to Mary Elizabeth Mooney and John August Koehler of Dell. She was especially proud of her family's German Irish heritage. With both of her parents passing when she was very young, the seven Koehler children, Otto, Merron, Rachel, Mildred, Raymond, Herman and Thelma, became a unified interdependent family unit. Their parents had left them a legacy of strong Christian values to guide them all into becoming productive, contributing members of society.

In 1938 she married the love of her life, R.B. Crawford of Dell, whom she met in the 5th grade. They were married for 52 years. Together they had two daughters.

Thelma attended Dell and Blytheville public schools. She graduated with a BA in Education from Arkansas State University and began teaching elementary school in Arkansas.

In 1958, she moved with her husband and girls to Fresno, Calif. She continued to teach and was a dedicated and beloved elementary teacher, reading specialist and Junior High English teacher for Fresno Unified and Madera School Districts.

Her talents were many. She found great joy in writing poetry, artistic painting, sewing, singing, dramatic reading and planning parties and events.

She was a member of Dell Methodist Church, the former St. Luke's United Methodist Church of Fresno and now Palm Avenue Community Church, Fig Garden Women's Club, Fresno Cotton Wives, Community Hospital and La Tienda Guilds.

Thelma was a gracious Southern lady who loved the Lord. We rejoice that she is with Him and has reunited with so many of her beloved family members.

She leaves her two daughters, Lucy and Joan; and

A son-in-law, David Sandlin of Fresno.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Dell Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday in Cobb Funeral Home. An online register may be signed at cobbfuneralhome.com