Robert Crawford

CRAWFORD, Mr. Robert - Age 86, passed away Monday November 29, 2010 at his residence. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 6, 2010 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1083 E. Stewart Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m., Pastor Lewis Randolph officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Monday. Mr. Crawford will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Mr. Robert Crawford began his life’s journey February 18, 1924 in Bessemer, Alabama, the son of Mildred Gray and Robert Crochran. Robert came to Flint, Michigan as a youth. He was raised by his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew (Rochelle) Battle (two of the founding members of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.) Robert attended Flint Public Schools and was very active in the baseball leagues in the area. Mr. Crawford met and married Tomie Mae Relerford in 1943 and soon entered into World War II. He and Tomie have three children from their union. Mr. Crawford came to Christ as a young adult and served faithfully as his paternal grandparents on the Senior Usher Board, the Trustee Board and Sunday School. A member of Buick’s Local UAW 599, Robert retired from General Motors in 1975 after 33 years of service. After his retirement, Mr. Crawford worked over 10 years for Citizen Bank’s on their security staff. He also enjoyed being a member of Flint’s Old Timers Club. Mr. Robert Crawford leaves a lifetime of memories to his wife, Mrs. Tomie Mae Crawford; 2 daughters, Brenda Burns of Burton, MI and Mildred Banks of Mt. Morris, MI; son, Robert (Pam) Crawford of Adrian, MI; 6 grandchildren including special grandchildren, Darin Crawford of Florida, Rochelle Burns of Ypsilanti, MI and Tess Crawford of Adrian, MI; 2 sisters-in-law, Oris Smith and Viola (Sonnie) Massey; 2 brothers-in-law, Frank and Dennis Relerford, all of Flint; his church family at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church; a host of other relatives and friends including special friend, Pastor Archie Powell, Jr. Mr. Robert Crawford was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Emmanuel Driver and Samuel Carr; 3 sisters-in-law, Doris Cotton, Roberta Byckes and Mabel Thomas; brother-in-law, Adam Relerford; son-in-law, Donner R. Banks; special friend, Warren Burns; and many other relatives and friends. The family would like to express a special thank you to everyone for your love and support during our time of bereavement. It is comforting to know such special people. A special appreciation to the doctors and their staff, Pastor Lewis Randolph and the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church family and the Senior Usher Board for caring and being there.

Robert Crawford

February 18, 1924 - November 29, 2010