Lead Belt News, Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, Jan. 3, 1962.
- Mrs. Cynthia M. Crawford,
Born: December 31, 1961
Died: June 25, 1855,
- MRS. CYNTHIA CRAWFORD DIES AT AGE 106.
Mrs. Cynthia M. Crawford, probably St. Francois County's oldest citizen, died at the Sunset Retirement Home in Farmington, Sunday, December 31, 1961, at the advanced age of 106. She had lived in the nursing home the past several years.
Born in Bollinger County, Mo., on June 25, 1855, she was a daughter of the late Henry Baker and Mary Shell Baker. Her husband, Bart Crawford, is deceased. Surviving relatives include six children Mrs. Mary Jane Murray of Farmington; Mrs. Sarah Ellen Pritchett of Fenton, Mo.; George Crawford of Rivermines; Jim and Elijah Crawford of Doe Run and Sam Crawford of Desloge.
She also leaves 28 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren, besides other relatives and a great many friends.
Because of her longevity, Mrs. Crawford has attracted much attention since she passed the century mark. On the occasion of her birthday, she has been honored with a family reunion and picnic in the city park at Doe Run, where she lived during her declining years with her son, Elijah Crawford. She was unusually active for one of her advanced years and was mentally alert until the time of her passing.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, January 2, at the Old Pendleton Baptist Church in Doe Run, conducted by the Rev. Charles Ellison. Interment was in the Old Pendleton Cemetery. Murphy Sparks Funeral Service.
- NOTE:When Mrs. Crawford celebrated her 106th birthday, the following article was published in the newspaper
Lead Belt News, Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, June 28, 1961.
FARMINGTON WOMAN MARKED 106TH BIRTHDAY SUNDAY.
Mrs. Cynthia Crawford of Doe Run observed her 106th birthday on Sunday, June 25, at the White Way Nursing Home in Farmington, where she has been a patient since 1957. The occasion has been celebrated the past five years with a picnic dinner and homecoming at the Doe Run Park, but Mrs. Crawford is now only able to be out of bed about an hour each day, and no formal celebration was held.
"She has a good appetite and fairly good hearing and eyesight", Mrs. Frances Slayton, manager of the nursing home said. Mrs. Crawford was put in a chair in the living room for awhile last Sunday afternoon, and she was visited by numerous relatives and friends, including her son, Elijah Crawford of Doe Run, with whom she lived until she had passed the century mark.
She received two birthday cakes, flowers and numerous cards. When asked to what she attributes her long life she said "Love of life, and God's will". Young people of the Genevieve and Little Vine Baptist Churches sang several hymns for her Sunday afternoon, and the Rev. Delbert Allen said a prayer.
Most of Mrs. Crawford's life has been spent in and near Doe Run. She was the mother of eight children, six of whom are living, and she has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Before her health began failing, she enjoyed piecing quilts which are treasured possessions of her family. She also liked to fish with her sons on Doe Run Creek. She has a good memory and is quick to recognize old friends who come to visit her. She loves to joke with all of the residents of the home and is the life of the party. So far as is known, she is the eldest living resident of this community.
Note A picture of Mrs. Crawford sitting in a chair with her birthday flowers accompanied this article.
Submitted by
Helen L. Smith Hoke
Poster-#-54-
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