William Theodore Crawley

Ted was born on April 3 1935, the youngest of five brothers and raised in Hollandale, MS. He had a wonderful Mississippi Delta childhood, hunting and fishing with his Dad.

He met and married his wife, Lee, while attending Mississippi College where he received both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. They had 4 children and lived in Clinton, Arcola, Oak Ridge, LA, Bolton, Canton, and Jackson.

Ted spent his career as a teacher, coach, and elementary school principal, mostly in the Jackson area. He was principal at Barr Elementary (1963-1966), Bradley Elementary (1966-1973), and retired from Lester Elementary (1973-1986), all in Jackson.

He was a long time member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School Director, and head of security.

Ted moved the family to Clinton, MS in the mid 70’s, where he lived for 20+ years. While in Clinton, he continued the activities he loved most, hunting, fishing, and umpiring church softball games. He became an active member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church.

He took an early retirement and in 1995, he and his wife built their retirement dream home on the shore of Lake Caroline, in the Gluckstadt area near Madison, MS. There he could live his dream of fishing whenever he wanted. He spent many years on his patio, feeding the fish, so they would eventually feed him! He was also known to fish for “Big Bird” the blue heron that would come to visit, waiting patiently for Ted to throw him fish to eat. He loved sitting in his chair and watching the sunset, or storms roll in, and boats float by.

Strangers he met would always be greeted with “Where are you from? Do you have reservations “upstairs?” He would claim to be the brother, or uncle, or daddy, of any stranger who acknowledged their salvation, because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

His Lord, church, and family came first in his life. He also enjoyed staying in touch with his many friends, extended family, and former students and teachers. He and Lee joined Morrison Height Baptist Church when they moved to Clinton. After they moved to Lake Caroline, they joined Highland Colony Baptist Church in Ridgeland, MS. But they remained close with friends from both Calvary and Morrison Heights churches

Ted is preceded in death by his wife, Annielie W. Crawley of McComb, MS; his parents, Carl Leo Crawley and Vincie Turner Crawley, of Hollandale MS; his 4 brothers, 2 sisters, and son-in-law Michael Medlin of Surf City, NC.

He is survived by his 4 children, Ted Crawley Jr. and wife Becky of Madison, MS, Tina Medlin of Kill Devil Hills, NC, Karlanne Coates and husband Bill of Clinton, MS, Cary Crawley and wife Tanya of Ridgeland, MS; 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

His Heart

Calvary Baptist Community Ministries

1300 W. Capitol Street

Jackson, MS 39203