Nancy Crawford

Nancy Perkins Crawford was born in Cairo (Grady County) Georgia on 26 September 1939 to the late Sally Ferol Blanton Perkins, a school teacher, and Roy Perkins, a businessman who later served in the Georgia legislature. The younger of two, Nancy managed to hold her own with her older brother, Charles Patrick, who provided a serious balance to her jovial teasing. As a child, she enjoyed the company of family and this joy remained a passion all her life. She kept up with distant cousins and faithfully attended the Blanton family reunion from its inception in 1957.

Upon graduation from Cairo High School, she traveled north and enrolled in the University of Georgia where she joined the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. It was while studying to be an educator and in this convivial atmosphere that she met Robert DeWitt Crawford (Bobby), a pharmacy student, who won her heart, and they married in December 1960.

Nancy and Bobby quickly settled into married life with the birth of their first child, Robert DeWitt Junior in November 1961. David Perkins arrived in October 1964, and the family was complete with the advent of Joseph Kemp in March 1970. While Bobby pursued a successful career in pharmacy, Nancy devoted herself to her children and established a secure and loving household.

In 1966 the Crawford family returned to Madison, Bobby’s home where he acquired a major stake in the Madison Drug Company. They soon purchased a house on Harris Street which would become her home until her death. Nancy was active in the community through her children. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, chaperoned numerous school trips, and she taught both Sunday and Vacation Bible School at First Methodist Church. Nancy was an avid Bridge player, and she enjoyed her piano. She was a talented cook, and later loved traveling. She traveled with family across the United States and Europe.  She  loved being a grandmother and was sure to give her grandchildren whatever they wanted (even if their parents said no).

But she may be best known for the years she invested working side by side with Bobby at Madison Drug. Together they built a business that thrived even with the rise of chain stores and heavy competition. Nancy worked to keep the front end stocked with interesting gift items and greeting cards while overseeing the soda fountain. She helped Bobby with the payroll and business operations. They worked together daily until retirement in 2014.

Nancy is known for the many friends she has had over the years, many of whom grieve her loss today. She is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years, her sons, two daughters-in-law, Christina (Robert) and Carol (Kemp), and five grandchildren: Samuel, Laney, Abigail, Ian, and Marten, all Crawfords through and through.

Nancy may be best remembered for her final act of courage in rising from knee surgery, determined to walk again. She would not be bound, and it was in this spirit that she strived until the end.

The family will receive friends at A.E. Carter Funeral Home on Saturday, October 13 from 5-7PM.  The funeral service will be held at Madison First United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 14 at 2PM.  Interment will follow at the Madison City Cemetery.

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