Sadie M Crawford

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Errol “Bob” Crawford; father, Charles Galloway Magee and mother, Mary Lou Haughton Magee; two brothers, Robert (Vivian) Magee and Walter (Ella Ree) Magee; two sisters, Grace (Robert Valentine) and Alleen (James Jones).

She is survived by sons Robert (Pam) Crawford, Chuck (Isabelle) Crawford, and Ted (Deena) Crawford; daughter Kim (Jeremye) Collins; grandchildren, Heather (Jay) White, Becky Crawford, Bailey (Cody) Ainsworth, Loren (Drew) Doran, Max Crawford, Jackson Crawford, Ethan Crawford, Sadie Evelyn Ainsworth, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Sadie Magee, born on October 30, 1928, was the second of five siblings raised on their family farm in Collins, Mississippi. As a child, she and her siblings could often be found frolicking around their hayloft, helping with chores like tending to the chickens and washing dishes, or playing with jacks, marbles, and dolls in their free time. Schoolwork and piano practice were a must before chores and playtime.

Sadie attended Mississippi College and graduated with a Bachelors and Master’s in Education in 1976. For over 30 years she taught first through third grade elementary students in Senatobia and Laurel, Mississippi and briefly in Blytheville, Arkansas. After moving back to Jackson, Mississippi she began teaching in Ridgeland, Mississippi at Ridgeland Elementary where she taught her longest stint of 27 years. She gained many of her dearest friends during her teaching career. She loved teaching and fondly remembered the names of many of her students and their families from over the years. She treasured every gift and kind note that she received from her students. She made her classroom her mission field, being sure to share the Gospel and love of Jesus with as many students as she could. She received many awards and accolades while teaching including Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Teacher of the Year. She also had memberships in Kappa Delta Pi—International Honor Society in Education, Delta Kappa Gamma—Educators Honor Society, and Mississippi Professional Educators.

Sadie married Bob Crawford on July 25, 1953. They were married for 57 years, loved each other faithfully, and together they raised their children to the best of their God given abilities, and with no parenthood instruction manual. (We all turned out okay). It was important to her that we all put our trust in God and do what the Bible says is right, especially to be respectful and kind to others.

Bob and Sadie joined Broadmoor Baptist Church in the sixties, where they were faithful members for over 50 years. Sadie’s faith in the Lord as her Savior was evident to everyone everywhere she went, but especially so in her service through the Children’s ministry (27 years), Church choir, and the ESL Ministry (English as Second Language) at Broadmoor. Any time there was an opportunity to do so, she was serving God and serving others. Her faith is also very evident looking inside the covers of her worn and tattered Bible. There are verses underlined, highlighted, and annotated on almost every page, and as a bonus you might even find a pen, an old Kleenex, or a half-stick of mint gum.

After her husband’s passing in August 2010, Sadie was determined to fill her days in meaningful ways. She could be found volunteering at Baptist Hospital where she greeted families and gave updates on their loved ones, offering them coffee and kind words. She helped fold Sunday morning bulletins for Broadmoor. She loved to read books, sew, garden, and cuddle with her cats. She also played Rook monthly with three of her very best friends for as long as they were all able. Most of all, she loved spending time with the family she raised.

Visitation at Parkway Funeral Home in Madison, MS will be Monday August 19th, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00pm. Visitation at the Chapel at Broadmoor Baptist Church will be Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 10:00am, her celebration of life starting at 10:00am, and interment at Parkway immediately following.

The family gives our most sincere thanks to Dorothy Toler, Ethel Bailey and Baptist Hospice who tenderly cared for Sadie in her final years of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mississippi Baptist Children’s Home.