Jesse (Jay) Turner Crawford Jr., 84, of Roanoke Rapids, NC passed away June 22, 2012 at his home. Jay was born March 11, 1928 in Anderson, SC to the late Major Jesse Turner Crawford Sr. and Rose Cheek Crawford. He was pre-deceased by his sister Marguerite Crawford Acker and her husband Lt. Colonel Halbert Hammond Acker. After graduating from Whitmire High School in 1945, he graduated from The Citadel in 1949 where he was Captain of Company A and honored as a Distinguished Military Student. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. U.S. Army Reserve. He was called to active duty in 1952 and served with the 3rd US Army, 56 Gun Battalion at Camp Stewart, Georgia until 1953. Upon being released from active duty he returned to work for J.P. Stevens in Cheraw, SC. He was promoted to plant manager and moved to Roanoke Rapids in 1963. After 42 years of service, he retired in 1990. He loved quail hunting on and managing his tree farms in Warren County. While in Cheraw Jay served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. In Roanoke Rapids he served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, Kiwanis Club and served as a member of the Roanoke Rapids School Board for 13 years. Jay was measured, deliberate, and thoughtful in the words he spoke and the way he lived his life, always standing up for what he believed. He was devoted to his family, loved children and young adults and always took time to provide guidance and a listening ear. Jay was a gracious host who enjoyed his friends and family immensely – Southern hospitality was a large part of the home he and his wife created. A funeral service will be held Monday at 2 pm, First Presbyterian Church Roanoke Rapids. A reception will be held following the service in the Loy Building. Burial will be Wednesday, June 27th at the Church of Our Savior, Trenton SC. Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral home is handling arrangements. Jay is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Vann Crawford, two sons, Jesse Vann Crawford (Rachel) of Greensboro, NC; Jesse Turner Crawford III (Valerie) of Walkerton, VA; and one daughter, Marguerite Carolyn Crawford of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Ashley Crawford of Manchester, CT, Rebecca Crawford of Greensboro, NC, Sarah Crawford of Walkerton, VA, Christine O’Keefe (Chris) of New Kent, VA and Jesse Turner Crawford IV of Walkerton, VA as well many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 16 East 5th Street, Roanoke Rapids NC, The Citadel, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409 or The Church of Our Savior, c/o A. Day, 529 Hwy 121, Johnston, SC 29832. Tags: 1949
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