Rufus Burks Crawford

Rufus Burks Crawford, 88 years old, left this world to walk on streets of gold with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on March 8, 2015. While listening to some of his favorite gospel music he took his last breath. His loving wife of 68 years whom he married on January 30, 1948, Mildred Garrett Crawford, sitting by his side said "Amen". He was born on May 2, 1926 to Chester Cortez Crawford and Lee Burks Crawford in Beckville, Texas. What a glorious reunion there was when their family circle was completed. Rufus graduated from Jacksonville Baptist College, Stephen F. Austin, and attended BMA Theological Seminary. He will be remembered for serving his Lord through the Baptist Missionary Association of America for 67 years as an Evangelist, Teacher, Radio Speaker and Pastor in Texas and Arkansas and Missionary to Brazil and Portugal. He is survived by five children and their spouses: Stanley and Cheryl Crawford, Houston, Texas; Mike and Diann Crawford Jones, Conway Arkansas; Wendel and Deana Kay Crawford McCorkle, Hope, Arkansas; Mark and Dixie Crawford Thackston, Dardanelle, Arkansas; Mike and Telma Crawford Cross of Jacksonville, Ark. He dearly loved all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a few great great-grandchildren. Surviving grandchildren are: David Crawford of Splendora, Texas; and Jason Crawford, Dayton Texas; Jeffrey Jones, St. Petersburg, Russia and Rebecca Jones Hales, Nagua Dominican Republic; Chrisy McCorkle Currier of Austin, Texas and Bitsy McCorkle Carter, Hope, Arkansas; Joshua Cason, Bryan, Texas and Cory Thackston, Dardanelle, Arkansas; Allison Rubio, Conway, Arkansas. Rufus and Mildred Crawford invested in the lives of many young servants of God that crossed their paths. To continue their legacy and further the kingdom of God, memorials can be made to the Rufus and Mildred Crawford Endowment Fund at Central Baptist College, 1501 College Avenue, Conway, Ark. 72034. Service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Central Baptist Church in Conway with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. For online guestbook, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.