Geraldine Crawford

Callie Geraldine Neel Crawford of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed into God’s eternal peace September 12, 2013. She was a direct descendant of Nancy Ward, the last Beloved Woman of the Cherokees. Geraldine was the great granddaughter of Polly Beck, whose fateful death initiated the historic Goingsnake Massacre. She was born to Benjamin Calvin “Callie” Neel and Wilora Bee Neel in San Bernardino, California on June 2, 1923. Geraldine was brought up in Peggs, Oklahoma and attended Locust Grove schools where she met her husband, Grover Lee Crawford. They were married on April 1, 1939. He preceded her in January of 1979. Geraldine was a talented homemaker. She showed her love for her family by always having an immaculate home. She learned to cook at an early age and never gave up her love of cooking as family and friends can attest. Geraldine is survived by her brother and his wife, L.C. Neel and Ellen of Bixby. She is also survived by her four children, Ronald Dean Crawford and Nell of Council Hill, Lynda Scott and Larry of Edmond, David Crawford and Jill of Tulsa, and Shelly Crawford and Mike Haley of Muskogee; her six grandchildren; three great granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are grandsons, Paul Crawford, Brent Scott, Ben Crawford, Kyle Crawford, and also Jerry Noblin and Jayden Warner, and great nephews, Matt Norman and Ben Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers are Dexter Payne, Roy McCaslin, Kenneth Neel, Dwight Neel, Ronnie Norman, Brett Smith, and David Moore. The family would like to express their appreciation to Cherokee Elder Care and Christy Ridge for their care of Geraldine during the last years of her life. Special thanks and love to Betty Mauldin, who at critical times for Geraldine and her family, was there to help. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N. York St., Muskogee, Oklahoma, Sunday, September 22, 2013. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September, 24, 2013 at Timothy Baptist Church, 5530 West Okmulgee, Muskogee, Oklahoma. Geraldine Crawford lived a life of integrity, Christian witness and character. She was well thought of, well loved, and will be sorely missed.

Geraldine Crawford

June 2, 1923 - September 12, 2013