Leona Crawford

Leona Evelyn Crawford was born August 13, 1920, near Brownell, Kansas. She was the daughter of Jess Cornelius and Catherine Eliza (Harrison) Rice. For fourteen years, Leona lived in Pawnee County in Kansas. In 1934, she moved to Franklin County, Kansas with her parents, where she made her home, until her death Saturday, April 6, 2002, at the age of eighty-one years. Leona graduated from Appanoose High School with the class of 1938. She was a member of Richter United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women for fifty years, and attended NARFE (National Association Retired Federal Employees). Mrs. Crawford was strongly dedicated to her church. In past years, she was a Sunday School teacher, teaching young people and, in recent years, taught older classes. She completed the Menninger Bible Study Course. She was an excellent cook and loved preparing holiday dinners for her family. Year after year, she had a lovely garden that produced large quantities of food which she enjoyed canning. For a number of years, she also baked wedding cakes for her family and close friends. Leona enjoyed attending all of her children and grandchildren's activities and sporting events. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading and quilting. For many years, she quilted weekly with the ladies from church. On December 28, 1940, Leona was united in marriage with Woodrow Earl Crawford at the Methodist parsonage in Lawrence, Kansas. He survives living at home. Also, surviving are two sons, Albert Lee Crawford, and his wife, Charlotte, of Green Valley, Arizona; Allen Ray Crawford and his wife, Laraine, of Overland Park, Kansas; daughter, Mary Ellen Kline and her husband, Harold, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and, lots of cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Fern Merwin; and, two brothers, George Rice and John Rice. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary, 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 10, 2002. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Terry Sue Wiliford. IN STATE: Mrs. Crawford will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 AM Monday to service hour, where the family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Richter United Methodist Church or American Cancer Society c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa, Kansas 66067.