Shirley Brown Crawford

Mrs. Shirley Brown Crawford, 90, passed away at her daughter’s home in Gainesville, Georgia on February 13, 2026.

Shirley was born January 13, 1936 in Twin City to the late James Roscoe and Marguerite Hall Brown. She was the valedictorian at Emanuel County Institute, and attended Georgia Southern University (formerly Georgia Teachers College) for two years before moving onto graduate from the University of Georgia, earning her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

She was a teacher in Brunswick, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. Following her marriage in 1962, she was a homemaker for many years. Shirley was a great cook and found joy hosting many in her home. Loving nothing more than an excellent and unique meal, she missed her calling as a food critic. She loved hiking, travel adventures and spending time with family at the Georgia coast. She passed on her love of reading to family and was a lifelong student of the Bible.

She was a member of Dunwoody Baptist Church for 41 years, serving as a Deacon and participating in many ministries such as Precept Bible Study, Benevolence Committee and the Wellness Center. Other community involvement included PALS (Perimeter Adult Learning Center), Dunwoody Newcomers Club and ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association). After moving to Gainesville, she became a member of Lakewood Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband Benton Earl Crawford, her parents, brother James Roscoe Brown, Jr., sister Dorothy Brown Morrison, son-in-law David Walton Roberts, and sister-in-law Joe Ann Crawford Darville.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Carol Crawford Roberts (Daniel) Bulsa, Susan Crawford (Scott) Meadows, and Kenneth Brown (Heather) Crawford. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: David Walton Roberts, Jr., Benton Scott Meadows, Peter Monroe (Halea) Meadows, Adrian Lynn Meadows, Laura Meadows (Joseph) Cotton, Tyler John Bulsa, Halle Jordan Howard, and Griffin Palmer Howard, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Twin City First Baptist Church with Reverend Dennis Darville officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow at the Coleman Cemetery in Twin City. Pallbearers will be David Roberts, Tyler Bulsa, Benton Meadows, Peter Meadows, Joseph Cotton and Griffin Howard.

A local service will be held in Gainesville, GA, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 10:00am at the Lanier Village Estates Chapel at 4000 Village View Dr, Gainesville, GA 30506.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to the Lakewood Baptist Church (2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30501) or the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (https://lungcancerresearchfoundation.org).

Chapman Funeral Home (https://www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com/) is in charge of all arrangements.