Myrtle Hyatt Crawford

Franklin - Myrtle Hyatt Crawford, daughter of the late Frank P. and Laura Wilson Hyatt, and a resident of Carolina House of Chapel Hill died Friday, October 8. 2010. She was born in 1928 in Jackson County, North Carolina. Funeral services will take place at Ridge Crest Baptist Church in Franklin, NC, on Tuesday, October 12 at 11:00 am with Rev. Tommy Fouts officiating followed by burial in the Church cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, October 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home in Franklin, NC.

Pallbearers will be Walter Bumgarner, Ernie Brendle, Doug Johnson, Andy Mashburn, Jerry Sanders, Joe Taylor, Larry Rogers and Max Crawford. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Rogers, Millard Sloan, Alvin Johnson, Harold Ray Hyatt, Alvin Watson, Jerry McCall, Jerry Bumgarner and Mark Sanders.

Surviving are her daughter Sandra Crawford Leak and son-in-law James A. Leak III of Durham, NC, and their sons Jimmy of Irvine, CA, and Paul of Boone, NC; her brother James Eddie Hyatt of Maryville, Washington; her sisters, Villie Johnson of Sylva, Ruby Sloan of Sutherlin, VA, and Evelyn Brendle and Maxine Sanders of Franklin; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband Sam Clifton Crawford; her infant son, Michael Clayton Crawford; sisters, Lucy Rogers and Marie Mashburn; and brothers, Verco Hyatt, Perry R Hyatt, Leon Hyatt and Leo Hyatt.

Also, her family would like to acknowledge with grateful thanks the role that the women of Ridge Crest Baptist Church played in her life, especially Willa Mae Bumgarner, Shirley Fouts, Donna Sanders, Janet Sanders McCall, Emma Jean Taylor, Kathy Woodard, Dolly Thompson, Lena Garrett and her sisters-in-law, Betty Crawford and the late Georgia Crawford.

During her last years in Franklin, her sisters Maxine Sanders and Evelyn Brendle and her niece in law Diane Brendle gave her special care and attention. Once she moved to Chapel Hill, she was cared for compassionately and professionally by the staff of Carolina House Assisted Living Community, Dr. Carmen Lewis of UNC Internal Medicine, and, during her last days, Duke Hospice. Spiritually, Rev. Jim Greenlee and the congregation of Farrington Road Baptist Church and Rev. Gary Webb of Calvary Baptist Church were generous and caring in their ministry to her.

Myrtle Crawford was a loving mother and grandmother and a faithful member of the Ridge Crest Baptist Church for over 30 years. She served in many roles, including treasurer, Bible School teacher and ministry to shut-ins as well as being active in Baptist Women’s groups and the Macon County Baptist Association. Those who were touched by her knew of her love for all living things particularly flowers and birds. An avid gardener and accomplished seamstress and craftswoman, she regularly won ribbons for her work at the Macon County Fair.

Memorials may be made to the Crawford-Hyatt Fund of the Ridge Crest Baptist Church which is being established in memory of Sam and Myrtle Crawford and their parents. Resources from the fund will be used to provide items of use or comfort to frail older adults connected to the Ridge Crest, Watauga and Pumpkintown Communities. Ridge Crest Baptist Church, 206 Ridge Crest Baptist Church Road, Franklin, NC, 28734. Memorials may also be made to the Duke Family Support Program, 3600 DUMC Durham, NC, 27710.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.