George Habersham Crawford Jr.

1920 - 2017

George Habersham Crawford, Jr. was born in Aberdeen October 22, 1920. He was a 1938 graduate of Aberdeen High School and a 1948 graduate of the University of Mississippi. George entered the Army National Guard in 1939 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. Lt. Crawford entered the battlefields of Normandy France, marched through newly liberated Paris, and fought in the battle of the Huertgen Forest. Here he was seriously wounded and sent back to Paris to recover. After recovery he fought in the Ruhr Valley until the end of the war. In 1950 he married the love of his life, Ruth Johnson. Shortly after the birth of his son, George H. Crawford, III he deployed again to combat, this time in Korea. He returned safely and became the proud father of Rebecca Ruth in 1955. In 1961 he became a member of the First Baptist Church in Aberdeen, where he attended the rest of his life. George was an avid Ole Miss fan, attending football games until 2016. He also was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan and attended many games in St. Louis. He was an expert African violet horticulturist, and a nationally recognized expert and car show winner with Ruth's mother's car, a 1962 Falcon known as the "Jitney." He was also a judge for the Antique Automobile Club of America. He was a regular at the Shelaine coffee club, a member of the Rotary Club, the American Legion and the "Forty and Eight." He also was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of Confederate veterans.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Inis, and his wife of 67 years, Ruth. George is survived by his son George, his daughter Rebecca Higgins (David), two grandchildren Christopher Higgins (Linda) and Elizabeth Athey (TJ), and two great grandchildren Ashley Higgins and Brantley Athey. He is also survived by his sister, Frances Wilemon and his sister-in-law Shelloy Crawford.

Funeral services with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Aberdeen with Bro. Dave Dowdy and Bro. David Harrell officiating.Burial will follow in Oddfellows Rest Cemetery. Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home of Aberdeen is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2017 at Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Aberdeen. There will also be a visitation from 1:00 p.m. until time of service on Saturday at First Baptist Church of Aberdeen. Donations may be made to Baptist Children's Village in Clinton, MS or to the charity of your choice. Memories or condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tisdalelannmemorial.com.