Margaret Peggy Pippin Crawford

CRAWFORD Margaret Peggy Pippin Crawford, age 72 of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the Community Hospice McGraw Center in Jacksonville. Peggy fought a battle against multiple forms of cancer for a period of more than 15 years. Her courage and determination in the face of adversity was admired by all who knew her. She was born in Moultrie, Georgia on September 15, 1943, the daughter of the late Margaret Sug Pippin and William Leon Pippin, Sr. She was raised in Moultrie and attended the schools there. Her grandparents were pioneer settlers of Moultrie and Colquitt County. The Pidcocks established the Georgia Northern Railway which opened Moultrie and Colquitt County for development. Her Pippin grandfather was a prominent builder in that area in the early years. She was a graduate of Brenau College where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Following her college graduation, she married her husband, Allan Neil Crawford, Jr., who was from Thomasville, Georgia. They settled in Atlanta where they lived for 25 years and raised their family. In Atlanta, Peggy was an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. When both of her children were enrolled in Trinity School, she began working there as a volunteer, then became a substitute teacher, and then finally was asked to become a full time teacher. She held this position for 15 years. She was much beloved by her students. In 1990, when her children were in college, she and her husband relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach when he accepted a position as Vice President of American Heritage Life Insurance Company. In Ponte Vedra, she immediately became involved in the Friends of the Library serving as the President. Peggy was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra where she established the Celebration Committee to serve family and friends following memorial services. She was Chairman of this committee for many years and was given the Distinguished Service Cross by Christ Church. Peggy spent part of every year of her life in Highlands, North Carolina, first with her grandparents, then her parents, and, later, at Westcliff, the summer home she and Neil shared. There they entertained family and friends and celebrated many important times together. In Highlands, she attended the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation and was a member of the Highlands Country Club, where she chaired the Book Study for many years. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband and spending time with her grandchildren. Her hobby, in addition to reading, was cross stitching quilts for infants. The ones she did and gave as special gifts are treasured by their owners. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, A. Neil Crawford, Jr. of Ponte Vedra Beach, and two children, Allan Neil Crawford III and his wife, Gretchen, of The Woodlands, Texas, and Taylor Pippin Crawford Schwieger and her husband, Rolf, of Atlanta. There are five grandchildren who loved her dearly: Elizabeth (Liza) Tarpy Crawford, Helen Reid Crawford, and Louise Alling Crawford, all of The Woodlands, Texas, and Crawford Bradley Schwieger and Margaret (Mattie) Taylor Schwieger of Atlanta. She is also survived by a sister, Frances Ann (Cooka) Pippin Hillebrand of Moultrie and brother in law, Robert L. Crawford, and wife, Beth, of Thomasville, Georgia. Three nephews, a great niece, and many cousins and close friends also survive. She was predeceased by her parents and two brothers. A memorial service celebrating Peggy's life will be held on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 11 am at Christ Church Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach. A reception for family and friends will follow in the Church Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that donations be made to the Christ Church Foundation at 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082, The Bell Tower Fund at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, P. O. Box 729, Highlands, North Carolina 28741, or Community Hospice in Jacksonville, Florida. Arrangements are under the direction HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL.