Brownlow Jackson Crawford, a business owner and entrepreneur whose philanthropic spirit has forever changed the heartbeat of Water Valley, MS as well as other surrounding communities, has died at age 77. Brownie, as he was affectionately called, was born in Sugar Creek, GA on February 18, 1930, to Carl Clifford and Nona Margaret Cobb Crawford, and was the eldest of nine children. He passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2007 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS.
Though not formally educated beyond a high school diploma, Brownie was a self-educated man who read voraciously, listened intently, and had a keen sense of business trends and marketing. Brownie, along with his wife Dorris, sent his younger brothers and sisters to college during the fledgling years of their poultry business, fueling his love for giving and helping others as he and Dorris grew more successful in their business ventures.
Despite his efforts to mask his generosity, the term “anonymous donor” became synonymous with “I bet that’s Brownie.” His innumerable contributions have touched the lives of Yalobusha and Lafayette residents and beyond, notably in the areas affecting youth and children, local and foreign medical missions, sports, education, and those less fortunate who need a helping hand. Brownie enjoyed recounting the unusual and humorous details of his salvation experience with Christ Jesus, and never hesitated to give God the glory for the many blessings he enjoyed sharing with others.
In addition to his reputation as a generous giver, Brownie was widely reputed as a practical joker with hilarious tales to share. His infectious laugh was magnetic, and his tales grew with each retelling. Brownie was an avid walker, often up and walking in the wee hours of the morning before the rush of the business day compelled him to spend many hours in his Crawford and Associates office near his home.
Brownie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Water Valley, Past President of the MS Baptist Children's Village, Director of Reedy Acres Foundation, Past President of the Water Valley Chamber of Commerce, Director Mechanics Bank, Three Rivers Development Council, Water Valley Ambassadors, Director of Case Foods, and he was an Eagle Scout.
In an effort to capture Brownie’s life in a few paragraphs, his daughter, Lorri, was asked to offer input. Her modest answer sums up everyone’s incapability to pen his life. “Daddy’s life was bigger than words; his life was action.” Brownie will be tremendously missed by his family, his church, and his countless friends.
A visitation for Brownie Crawford is planned for Tuesday evening, November 6, 2007 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley. The service will take place at First Baptist Church of Water Valley at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 with Dr. Randy Bain and Rev. Raymond Aven officiating. The family will hold a private graveside service at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Yalobusha County, MS.
Pallbearers will be Robby Parsons, Richard Shelly, Cam Tyler, Tom Fitts, Sean Carothers, and Wayne Harris. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Williamson, Snooky Williams, Bob Tyler, Eddie Ray, Arnold Carothers, Eric Weeks, Dr. Joe Walker, Dr. Paul Odom, Charles Sharp, Perry Crawford, Charles Walker, Robert Weaver, Lowell Edwards, Floyd McGehee, Dee Young, Richard and Lisa Howorth, and The Mechanics Bank Directors.
Brownie Crawford is survived by his wife, Dorris Hemphill Crawford of Water Valley; two sons, Len Jackson Crawford of Blue Ridge, GA and Darrell Brownlow Crawford of New York, NY; and one daughter, Lorri C. Williamson of Water Valley, MS; two sisters, Johnnie C. Watkins of McCaysville, GA and Dorris C. Olnick of Blue Ridge, GA; five brothers, Pete Crawford of Mount Juliet, TN, Bob Crawford of Douglas, GA, Gene Crawford of Morganton, GA, Jim Crawford of Tucker GA, and Joe Crawford of Toccoa, GA; five grandchildren, Joeli Williamson of Oxford, MS, Cory Williamson of Water Valley, MS, Emily Crawford of Bentonville, AR, and Caroline and Abigail Crawford, both of Blue Ridge, GA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Crawford of Water Valley, MS.
Memorials may be made to Compassion Ministries, c/o Carroll Crenshaw, 70 CR 386, Water Valley, MS 38965 or to the Northwest Community College Brownlow Jackson Crawford Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7015, Senatobia, MS 38668.