Shirley Crawford

Shirley Crawford lived her life as a beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother (Nana) and Great Grandmother (Great Nana), and treasured friend to many. She wanted nothing more than the very best for the family she loved. Shirley found great happiness putting the needs of others ahead of her own and lived a lifetime of selflessly giving of her time and resources to those in need. Her warm smile and her natural way of showing compassion for others were her greatest gifts. Generous and loving, Shirley will be dearly missed by her many special friends and loved ones. In 1932 the Morris family was eager to welcome into their hearts and home their newborn baby girl, Shirley Ann, on September 8, 1932 in Hobart, Indiana. Joining her older siblings; Harry, Mary, and Betty, her birth brought light into an era of hard times Shirley lived a childhood of family hard times during the Great Depression. As a family, they lived a simple life, yet she always kept her optimistic attitude throughout her life. She left school at the tender age of sixteen to enter the world of work to help provide for her family. In 1952, she married Richard (Dick) Crawford and honeymooned at a family owned park named after his mother’s side; Lemon Park on Indian Lake. In love with the area, the newlyweds chose to move to Vicksburg the same year they married where they created the best of memories and Shirley remained for the rest of her life. They cherished many years of happiness and celebrations and together raised two wonderful children; Michelle (Missy) and Dean. Her children were her pride and joy and she relished in her role as a mother. There was simply nothing she wouldn’t do for the two of them! They were accustomed to her great cooking, especially her chicken and biscuits, as well as her endless support and encouragement over the years. Active in their lives, she was always proud of her children and wanted nothing but the very best for each of them. All in all, as a family, they savored many special moments together and always looked forward to sharing special trips and holidays together. Shirley found balance between her household duties as well as working outside the home. With a strong desire to serve her community, she worked as a school bus driver for Vicksburg Community Schools. Shirley loved the kids and the flexible hours. While working there, in 1966 she also completed her high school education which was a proud moment in her life. Her strong work ethic later landed her a position as a receiving clerk with the progressive pharmaceutical company, Upjohn, now known as Pfizer, for a remarkable seventeen years. Over the course of her many years working in the field, she found her work exhausting yet equally rewarding. Once she was blessed with the birth of her beloved Grandson, Eric, she took an early retirement to help care for him. Shirley lived a full life with many special hobbies. Little known to most, she was once a champion roller skater that traveled the country competing. She was a natural at her abilities and enjoyed any amount of time she was performing. Shirley won the Star Award from Kalamazoo County because of her volunteer work at Tobey School. Shirley also enjoyed golfing and playing tennis for many years and in her younger day’s water skied on her beloved Indian Lake. Dick and Shirley were active in the Vicksburg Community helping where needed and attending every Vicksburg Car Festival since 1980 with their various cars, firetrucks, and tanks. Later in life, she and Dick traveled with a GMC travel group in their motor homes. They enjoyed countless trips over the years. In addition to the time they spent with their growing family, these trips were the highlight of their fifty-one years together. Shirley enjoyed conversation, laughter, and travel, yet was also content being at home surrounded by her children, grandchildren and her great granddaughter. Committed to her family and loved by many, she will surely be missed for her wonderful kindness and selfless acts of love. May her close friends and loved ones cherish the special moments they shared together and may her memories be eternal. Shirley A. Crawford, of Vicksburg, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at the age of 88. She is survived by her two children: Michelle “Missy” (Armando Blanco) Crawford of Vicksburg; Dean Crawford (Vivian Avila) of Vicksburg; one grandson: Eric (Cindy) Crawford, of Vicksburg; and one great grandchild, Hayden Crawford. Many nieces and nephews along with special and dear friends Dick and Janet VanLinder Maurice and Judy Hovious; and Jordan Avila She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Crawford in 2003, two sisters and one brother. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 South Main, Vicksburg. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 1 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Vicksburg Cemetery. While at www.mccowensecord.com please take time to sign Shirley’s guest book and share a memory with the family. Those who wish may make contributions to Birch Meadows, Three Rivers and/or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan and the Cancer Center of West Michigan in honor of Eric Crawford. The Crawford family is being cared for by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, 409 South Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.