Mary Ruth McMurray Crawford

MARY RUTH MCMURRAY CRAWFORD, a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, TN went to her heavenly home on September 13, 2014. She was born September 9, 1927 on her ancestral home farm in Dumplin Valley as the younger daughter to John McCampbell and Louella Caldwell McMurray. She was educated in Mt. Horeb and Maury High schools before attending the University of TN and earning a degree in Home Economics. She worked in Oak Ridge, TN before her marriage to Thomas Mann Crawford in 1950 and taught Home Economics at Rush Strong High School for 4 years while establishing their first home in Rocky Valley. She and Tommy moved to Jefferson City in 1955 and became active members of the local community. She served as Assistant Dietitian at Carson Newman College cafeteria in the late 1950’s. Mary Ruth loved her many friends and worshipped at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City and served in many roles during her 60+ years of membership. She also served on the Jefferson Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary volunteer staff for over 30 years and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2001. She attained over 3000 hours of service during her career. She served for over 40 years on the Jefferson County Farm Bureau board and cherished her dearest friends that she developed from these activities. Mary Ruth leaves her son and daughter-in-law, John and Denise Crawford of Germantown, TN; grandchildren, Jordan and Emily Poe-Crawford of Winston–Salem, NC, and Cameron Crawford of Germantown, TN; her daughter, Lou Ann Crawford Hinshaw and son-in-law, Richard Hinshaw, and grandchildren, Bradford and Mary Blake Hinshaw of Chesapeake, VA. She also leaves her sister and brother-in-law, Isabelle McMurray Peck and Charles Peck of Memphis, TN; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and additional sisters and brothers-in-law. There will be a reception of friends at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City on Saturday, September 20, 2014 beginning at 3:00 p.m. The memorial service will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a short graveside service to follow at Mt. Horeb Cemetery in Dumplin Valley. Memorials may be made by honoring her memory with an act of service to someone you cherish or praying a prayer in her memory and of her life well-lived. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN 865-475-3892