Freda has finished the Race...

As you may already know, Freda joined the Lord and other loved ones in heaven this last Thursday. She "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Now she has received the crown of righteousness" 2 Timothy 4:7.


My family and I thank you for your prayer and support, especially over the last ten years of her battle. We invite you to join us this Saturday, November 21 at 10:00am for the celebration of her life and faith and to worship together as a body of believers.


You will find below information that might be helpful to you. Freda and I pray God's best blessings for you.


We celebrate the life and influence of Freda Marlene Crawford, who was born in Lake City, Florida, October 12, 1949 and joined Jesus Christ and other loved ones November 12, 2009. Freda was an accomplished woman. She was an honors graduate of Columbia County High School, and then the president of the student body at Lake City Community College. She completed her B.S. from the University of West Florida and her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Florida.


For 17 years she taught science at Buchholz High School until she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1999. After treatment, she completed her Ph.D. and taught as an adjunct professor in Science Education as long as her health allowed.


More important to her than work and education was her family. She modeled the love and support of a faithful wife, mother, and then grandmother of four-- with boundless energy and excitement. Her family was the joy and the focus of her life.


But even more important to her was her faith in Christ. Having made a commitment of her life to Christ at the age of nine, she became a life-long, devoted follower of His. Her faith was the driving force of her life, and in her everyone saw the embodiment of one of her favorite scriptures, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) She stood alongside her husband of thirty-nine years, Gary L. Crawford, pastor of Westside Baptist Church for the past 28 years. She carried on her own ministry of prayer, teaching, music--as both an instrumentalist and vocalist--and engaged in mission work around the world. She profoundly loved her church family at Westside, and her shared ministry with them was a passion in her life. She was deeply grateful for their love and support as she battled her disease across ten years. This love and gratitude were expressed in her CD “Praise for God’s Sustaining Hand” and in the book that she and Dr. Fran Terhune edited for her husband, “In Celebration of Love, Marriage and Sex,” based on the Song of Solomon.
The work of the Florida Baptist Convention, especially the establishment of a Florida Baptist Children’s Home in the area, was also central in her ministry. From the Convention, she received the honor of “Pastor’s Wife of the Year” just a few days before her Homegoing.


She leaves a legacy of faith, love, courage, and commitment to family, ministry, and community. The song she sang on her CD, “Touch Through Me,” reflects the passion of her life; she said, “This song expresses my commitment to be available to Him.”


Her husband Gary, children (and spouses) John & Tina, Christa & Bill, and grandchildren Cade, Michael, Johanna, and Lachlan, mother Alice Mangle, and brother Ronnie Mangle wish to express gratitude to the many friends who have brought prayer and encouragement into their lives. We invite all to celebrate her life and faith on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 10:00 am at Westside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, FL at 2:00 pm. If you can't make it, it will be available to watch via live streaming on Westside's website.


Viewing will be held at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home (State Road 241) from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm on Friday, November 20, 2009.


In lieu of flowers, the family invites you make a donation to Westside Baptist Church (10000 Newberry Road, Gainesville 32606) for a Missions Scholarship that will be established in her honor.