Josephine Smith Crawford

Josephine Smith Crawford, age 91, of Gurley Alabama passed away peacefully March 28, 2026 with family at her side. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a cherished grandmother and great grandmother. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and a long-time member of Locust Grove Baptist church serving willingly and selflessly.

Josephine was born in Rockledge, Georgia to Loran D. Smith and Ida Bell Wynn Smith. She was raised by her father and beloved Mom, Martha Octavia Maybin Smith in the Pooler-Savannah area of Georgia. She attended Nursing School until she married her husband, James Franklin Crawford. She has been a devoted wife, and an exceptional Homemaker all her life raising a family of four boys.

Josephine blessed her family and all who knew her with genuine love, kindness and generosity. She loved cooking, gardening and canning her own vegetables. She also loved taking care of her cats. Working alongside her husband of 68 years, James Franklin Crawford, she fed cattle in the freezing weather, cut and baled hay in the heat of the summer and fed the many who graced her table in support of their wonderful farm with the best food found anywhere. She shared her love of feeding and watching the different songbirds as well as her love of the different herbs, plants and flowers that grow in this area with her children and grandchildren. The Character Guidance she provided her sons and grandchildren of Independence, Strength, Courage, and the Faith in God will be felt for many generations. Her favorite thing to hear about in her last years was how her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Smith Sr., biological mother, Ida Bell Wynn Smith, her husband, Frank Crawford, and her son James Cameron Crawford. Her surviving family members include her brothers, Foy (Melba) Smith of Birmingham and Loran D. Smith Jr. (Leta) of Georgia, sons Alvin Crawford (Linda), Stanley Crawford (Judy) and Dennis Crawford (Carla) all of Gurley. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Stacie Morris (Jamie), Richard Crawford (Claire), Nathan Crawford (Candace) and Denise Crawford as well as six great grandchildren, Cameron, Sofia, Emersyn Moreland, Jace, Elias, and Waylon.

We would especially like to thank her Angels as she called them, the Caregivers at Kauhale Byrd Spring Assisted Living in Huntsville for the warm love and wonderful care she received there in her last years.

We hold dear in our hearts all the memories of you, Our Dear Mother, and thank you for your unconditional love and support. We will miss you but know you are resting peacefully in heaven now with your loved ones.

No formal gathering is planned. Mrs. Crawford wants everyone to celebrate her life in their own special way. In Memory of and in Lieu of flowers or donations, Josephine would like you to make a new friend, plant a flower or a flowering tree, or help someone in need.