of Conway, AR
May 2, 1926 - March 8, 2015
Rufus Burks Crawford, 88 years old, left this world to walk on streets of gold with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on March 8, 2015. While listening to some of his favorite gospel music he took his last breath. His loving wife of 68 years whom he married on January 30, 1948, Mildred Garrett Crawford, sitting by his side said ''Amen''.
He was born on May 2, 1926 to Chester Cortez Crawford and Lee Burks Crawford in Beckville, Texas. What a glorious reunion there was when their family circle was completed.
Rufus graduated from Jacksonville Baptist College, Stephen F. Austin, and attended BMA Theological Seminary. He will be remembered for serving his Lord through the Baptist Missionary Association of America for 67 years as an Evangelist, Teacher, Radio Speaker and Pastor in Texas and Arkansas and Missionary to Brazil and Portugal.
He is survived by 5 children and their spouses: Stanley and Cheryl Crawford, Houston, Texas; Mike and Diann Crawford Jones, Conway Arkansas; Wendel and Deana Kay Crawford McCorkle, Hope, Arkansas; Mark and Dixie Crawford Thackston , Dardanelle, Arkansas; Mike and Telma Crawford Cross of Jacksonville, AR.
He dearly loved all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a few great great-grandchildren. Surviving grandchildren are: David Crawford of Splendora, Texas; and Jason Crawford, Dayton Texas; Jeffrey Jones, St. Petersburg, Russia and Rebecca Jones Hales, Nagua Dominican Republic; Chrisy McCorkle Currier of Austin, Texas and Bitsy McCorkle Carter, Hope, Arkansas; Joshua Cason, Bryan, Texas and Cory Thackston, Dardanelle, Arkansas; Allison Rubio, Conway, Arkansas.
Rufus and Mildred Crawford invested in the lives of many young servants of God that crossed their paths. To continue their legacy and further the kingdom of God, memorials can be made to the Rufus and Mildred Crawford Endowment Fund at Central Baptist College, 1501 College Avenue, Conway AR 72034.
Service will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Central Baptist Church in Conway with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.
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25 Condolence(s)
Debbie Caswell Martin
Saturday, March 14, 2015
I am so sorry to learn of Bro. Crawford's homegoing but thankful to know he is Home. Prayers and love to all.
Jennifer Griffin
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
To Deana Kay & Wendel McCorkle
And Chrisy and Bitsy
I am prayer for you all thou this times
God bless you all
Ron and Gloria Chesser
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
We have many great memories of Bro. Crawford. He touched many lifes for Jesus' sake. He is singing "Little Is Much When God Is In It" right along with all the other saints. Praise God for his Godly life.
Wynndel King
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Sorry to hear the news about Bro. Crawford. My church and I will be praying for you during this difficult time. He was a great man of God.
Henry & Vannette Horton
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Bro. Rufus was a great friend and great servant of our Lord!
Jim Haygood
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Sorrowful to hear about Bro. Rufus. I loved To hear him preach and loved to sing with him as i did the last time i was with him. I will miss him as I know you family members will. I will be praying for you.
Jimmy & Megan Howell
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Bro. Rufus touched so many people's lives, including ours. He will be missed for he was loved by many. Job well done, Rufus!!! You left a wonderful and memorable mark on this earth.
E C Buddy Briggs
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Jim Atkinson
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Diane & family,
We are very sorry for your loss. I feel no sorrow for Bro Crawford I know he is enjoying the joy of being with Jesus.
May the Lord comfort in ways only He can. You are all in our prayers.
In Christian love,
Jim and Linda Atkinson
Fred Vogel
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
We will miss this great servant of the Lord. Some day we will get to see him again when we all meet in Heaven. May God give grace to the family and friends of this great servant.
Terrie Gunnels Triplet
Monday, March 9, 2015
My family loved Bro. Rufus while serving in McNeil a First Baptist Church
Bro. Randy and Beth Wilson
Monday, March 9, 2015
So sadden to hear this news. Bro. Crawford was a great messenger of God. We so enjoyed hearing him preach the word.
James Edge
Monday, March 9, 2015
He was a great soldier of the cross. May God comfort you, Mildred and family.
Joshua Shepherd
Monday, March 9, 2015
Bro. Crawford was my grandparents pastor, and spent a lot of time on the front porch of Tommy Lee and Mary Elizabeth Browns shotgun house. Good memories from childhood!
Jason crawford
Monday, March 9, 2015
Some of my most memorable times as a kid was with you Papaw. You will be missed and loved.
Josh Wilson
Monday, March 9, 2015
I was only around Bro. Crawford a few times when visiting while in Greers Ferry, but he left a lasting impression. He was a fine man, and truly emphasized Christian character. God bless the family.
Bro. Gib and Linda Cole
Monday, March 9, 2015
We have had the privilege to have known Bro. Rufus for 40 years in the ministry. He was always an inspiration to be around. In 1980 Bro Rufus just happened to be in Dr. Pulig's office in Magnolia when my wife went in to be checked for labor. We sat forever and my wife said, "I am having this baby" to me. Thank goodness for Bro. Rufus, he told Dr. Pulig we were in labor and he came in just in time. 6 weeks later Bro. Rufus called Linda to be the camp nurse at Gary Texas. I told him Bro. Rufus she just had a baby. Bro. Rufus said, "that's ok she can bring the baby with her." And that is exactly what she did. Thanks for the memories Bro. Rufus.
John & Shirley Ladd
Monday, March 9, 2015
May God comfort you at this time. We're wondering what he & Bro. E.L. Jones are up to at this moment...
Jerry Phillips
Monday, March 9, 2015
A great man of God who was loved by all. He was a very special inspiration in my life and a friend. May God comfort and bless his dear family.
Tony and Jerrie Sue Cleaver
Monday, March 9, 2015
Jerrie Sue and I share our condolences with the Crawford family.
Cynthia CALLAHAN
Monday, March 9, 2015
So sorry for you loss, but so thankful for the peace that comes with knowing you will see him again and that he is happy and healthy in Heaven.
S T Files
Monday, March 9, 2015
Bro Rufus simply put was God servant.
Larry Lansdale
Monday, March 9, 2015
our lose is heavens gain. God bless the family.
Ken & Billie Medlock
Monday, March 9, 2015
Our Beloved Friend:
Little as much when God is in it.
Ken and Billie
Medlock
Max Martin
Monday, March 9, 2015
There is no question that Bro. Crawford touched many, many lives during his years of ministry.
Looking forward to seeing him again when my time comes.