Helen Crawford

JERSEYVILLE -   Helen Louise Crawford, 92, died at 11:45 a.m., Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the Jerseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.She was born in Jersey County on July 23, 1925 and was the daughter of John Wiley "Casey" and Ara (Weaver) Ford.Her early years were spent working in an small arms ammunition factory, and the International Shoe Factory in Jerseyville.  She also worked at Elmer's Grocery Store and several area restaurants in and around Jerseyville.She then graduated from Kitsmiller Beauty College in Alton in 1952, and owned and operated Helen's Beauty Shop in Jerseyville for over 25 years.After her "retirement", she decided to begin her own wallpapering and painting business, and countless homes in the area have been touched by her talents.Helen was happiest when she was babysitting her grandchildren, wallpapering, or just sitting on the lake just fishing and enjoying nature.  She had the capability of catching fish when no one else could and was also very dedicated to her flower gardens, where people would often stop by to admire her creations, as there was always a flower blooming.She was truly a Christian woman, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brighton,  and  from her early beginnings  learned the value of hard work and  the meaning of family and the rewards received from honest, hard work.She married Joseph R. Crawford on Jan. 16, 1943 in St. Charles, Mo, and their 71 year marriage was filled with the blessings of two daughters and many other happy memories, along with some devastating moments at the death of their daughter, Linda, ,however they maintained their belief in the Lord and each other, and shared life together until his death on Nov. 8, 2014.Surviving are a daughter and son in-law, Jo Ann and Gary Johnson of Brighton; a son in-law and his wife, David and Sharon Carroll of Jerseyville; five grandchildren and their spouses, Stephanie and Chris Hurt of Cordele, Ga., Stacie and Steven Felice of Huntsville, Al., Sara and David Clare of Alton, Damon and Jill Carroll of Jerseyville and Julia Carroll of Alton and four great grandchildren, Hannah Carroll and David Carroll, Robbin Hurt and Jack H. Clare.In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Linda Jo Carroll on Feb. 13, 1990; and two sisters, Jeweldine K. Ford and Mildred Summers.Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 until time of funeral services at 1 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.   Her grandson in-law, Rev. Chris Hurt will officiate.She will be laid to rest in the Rosedale Cemetery.Memorials may be given to the Mississippi Valley Christian School in Alton.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home