Harold G. Crawford

Ivie Funeral Home announces the death of Rev. Harold G. Crawford, age 84, of Commerce who passed away on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. He graduated from the Immanuel Baptist Theological Seminary May 18, 1990 with an associate degree in Bible. Rev. Crawford is a graduate of Mercer University with a special certificate in Christian education and an advanced certificate in Christian education from the Georgia Baptist Convention's educational training program. He served six years as registrar for the Serepta Extension Center, which held classes at the First Baptist Church of Commerce. He is former pastor of Center Baptist Church, Athens, and served as chaplain coordinator of the Tri-County Ministerial Association for three years. He also served as the inmate counselor and chaplain at the Jackson County Correctional Institution for six years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Mae Elrod Crawford, two daughters, Pam Phillips and Phyllis Veal and two brothers Roy Crawford and James Crawford. His survivors include a son, Gordon (Debbie) Crawford of Commerce, two daughters, Patricia (Terry) Smith of Jefferson and Penni (Derek) Jones of Commerce, three sisters, Eva Ingram, Reba Wood, and Mary Bruce all of Commerce. Fourteen Grandchildren, eighteen Great Grandchildren and one Great Great Grandchild also survive. Services for Rev. Crawford will be on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015 at 2PM from the Madison Street Baptist Church with the Rev.s David Harbin, Rev. Dwayne Owensby and Rev. Dayton Logan officiating. The body will lie in state beginning at 1:30. Burial will be in the Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Monday evening from 5 to 8 PM