GLORIA CRAWFORD

Gloria Anita Clark Crawford, 66, of Waycross, Georgia passed away at Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center (MCG Health) in Augusta on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:07 am.
Gloria was born on May 4, 1945 in Savannah, Georgia. She is the daughter of the late Elbert Clark of Folkston and Marguerite Griffin Clark of Savannah.
A 1966 Charlton County High School graduate, she worked in the Medical Records Department at Memorial Hospital in Waycross for 9 years, previously working on the floor as a ward clerk. Losing her mother to diabetes when she was only 16 led to Gloria’s dream of one day being a nurse. With her characteristic outlook of looking on the humorous side, she would add, I didn’t know I was going to be the patient.
Gloria was born with Bell’s palsy and faced numerous health issues during her lifetime, yet she never complained. An inoperable ependymoma tumor in her lower spine in the late 70s resulted in her being a paraplegic, but Gloria tackled that, too, in her matter of fact way and went on with life. Once you met Gloria, you never forgot her. She loved to cut up and had a quick comeback that always made you laugh. Her favorite pastime was to talk on the phone and she enjoyed going out to eat and shopping. She loved being around people and made friends wherever she went. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends
She and husband, Grady Lee Crawford, Jr., celebrated 40 years of marriage on November 16, 2011. God placed these two together in a way that only He can. They looked after each other and could always find the humorous side to life.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Grady Lee Crawford, Jr. and two canine children, Peaches and Penny; stepmother, Juanita Hodges Clark Tomlinson (Aldine); two sisters, Dianne Clark Gaenzle (Jack), Vivian Clark Wainwright (Richard); two brothers, Wayne Clark and Noah Clark; a very special sister-in-law, Cathy Pickren Clark; paternal uncle, H. L. Clark, Sr. (Christine); maternal aunt, Eleanor Griffin Ciucevich; brother-in-laws, David Crawford (Reta), Tom Crawford (Trudy), Danny Crawford (Sharon); sister-in-laws, Delores Gibson (Martin), Janice Sweat (Donnie), Teresa Smith (Howard); and a great number of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as special friends, Wanda and Ricky Scott and their children, Cody and Ashley, Janice and Richard Smith, Sarah Dyal and Tanual Thrift.
Gloria and Grady’s home was also blessed by numerous healthcare providers, allowing her to be at home with family and friends.
Gloria was preceded in death by her mother and father, one brother, Donald Lee Clark, and by just one month of her precious aunt, Gladys Clark Carter, who was a mother to her as well. Just as Aunt Gladys promised, they’re holding hands and running through the streets of heaven.
The family received friends Sunday, February 12, at First Baptist Church, Folkston, with a celebration service following led by Rev. Randy Jacoby, Rev. Cody Scott and Heather Wainwright Vecera. Burial followed in Pineview Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardfh.com. Arrangements were under the direction of Shepard Funeral Home in Folkston.