April 8, 2021, 96, Pikeville –
Mevis W. Crawford, formerly of Pikeville, NC, was called to her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior on April 8, 2021 at the age of 96. Mevis was born on June 10, 1924, in LaGrange, NC where she was a basketball star in the local high school as well as valedictorian of her graduating class. Her service to others began in high school where she devoted time to read and help a blind classmate with her studies. After attending the University of North Carolina in Greensboro Mevis was employed as a bookkeeper by Carolina Power and Light Company. While there she met an engineer who soon afterward became her husband of 53 years, James Leslie (“Junior”) Crawford, Jr. They later opened Crawford Furniture Co. in Pikeville which is still operating today after more than 70 years. In addition to her role in the furniture business, Mevis served as the town clerk in Pikeville and later was a public servant as a postal clerk and assistant postmaster, retiring after 27 years of service.
Mevis lived a life of service to her Lord, her family, her church and community. Mevis was deep in her faith and was a true believer in Jesus Christ. She served as an example to others of his teachings and what it meant to be a Christian. Her volunteer work began after retiring from the post office with the Read to Succeed Program at Northwest Elementary School in Pikeville. She took part in the Meals on Wheel program. Mevis was a big supporter of the public library system and served on the Wayne County Library Board for 10 years. Mevis was at the forefront of efforts to raise money to refurbish the old post office in Pikeville and set up a new library for the town. She was the friendly face that greeted visitors and families of patients as a volunteer at the Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in Goldsboro. In 2005, Mevis was honored by receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She was also a member and past president of the Pikeville Garden Club.
Mevis was always active in the church. For many years Mevis was the President of the United Methodist Women at St. Joseph’s United Methodist Church in Pikeville. She was treasurer of the North Carolina conference from 1976 through 1989. Mevis taught Sunday school at St. Joseph’s for over five decades, starting with young adults and following them through adulthood. She always said that she was blessed in knowing that she grew in her faith throughout her life as did her students. As such Mevis had a very personal connection with them and her church’s congregation.
Mevis loved her family and was very generous in her love and giving advice on how to live a wholesome life. She took pride in her matriarchal role and was blessed to be surrounded by family who adored, respected and loved her to the ends of the earth.
Mevis was preceded in death by her husband, James Leslie Crawford, Jr., and a son, James L. (“Jimmy”) Crawford, III; her parents, Maude and Noah Hodges Williams; four brothers, Howell, Noah, Ray Vance and Meredith Williams and one sister, Isabelle Bartel. She is survived by two children, Beth (Robert) Hill of Raleigh, NC and David (Ramona) Crawford of Monrovia, MD, and a daughter-in-law from Jimmy’s marriage, Sheila Crawford (Randy) Blackburn; eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; one sister, Ramona Bunn of Zebulon, NC; and five nieces. Mevis also leaves behind two dear friends who were very attentive and special to her, Dana Tucker and Greg Sauls of Pikeville.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Addison Assisted Living in Knightdale for the loving care they provided to Mevis over the past two years. The family also wishes to thank the hospice team at Amedisys. The care and attention given to Mevis and her family made her passing so much easier.
Funeral and interment will be held in a private setting for the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Children’s Home.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
