Crawford Alexander Smith

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Buried:
Mrs. Rita Marilyn Smith, 88, of Elizabethton, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Johnson City Medical Center Hospital following a brief illness. She was a daughter of the late John Edward and Jeanne Marie LeSchairre Wild and was born in Ponchatoula, La. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Crawford Alexander Smith; a daughter, Sherry Bowling; three sisters, Orris Caldwell, Norma Goudeau and Yvonne Saltzman; one brother, John Wild.
Mrs. Smith was a devout Catholic and homemaker. She loved to garden and can vegetables and she also enjoyed quilting.
Those left to cherish her memory include two sons, Crawford Alexander Smith, Jr. and his wife, Bobbi, Jacksonville, Florida, Edward Earl Smith and his wife, Susan, Elizabethton; Two daughters, Donna Marie Page and her husband, Harry, Elizabethton, Vickie Smith and a special friend, Carla Hardin, Elizabethton; seven grandchildren: Heather Tester, Kevin Bowling, Carrie Rogers, Tammy Arrwood, Brian Smith, LaDonna Page and Harry page; two step grandchildren Lisa Sutton and Christie Davis; eleven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Rita Marilyn Smith will be conducted on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Peace, Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Rev. Steve Burleson, officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday prior to the service.
The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. in the Caldwell Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Brian Smith, Kevin Bowling, Little Harry Page, Robert Pierce, Eric Tester, Buddy Bowers and Lee Long. Honorary pallbearers will be John Pierce, Larry Bowling, Chris Long, David Long, Chris Estep, Mike Nidiffer and Harry Page.

Crawford married Rita Marilyn Wild about 1945. Rita was born on 30 Sep 1926 in Tangipahoa Parish, , , Louisiana; died on 12 Sep 2015 in Washington County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Caldwell Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Died:
COON RAPIDS, MN - Surrounded by loved ones, Crawford Alexander Smith Jr., 72 of Coon Rapids, Minnesota passed away April 26, 2022 at home. Born November 21, 1949 in Elizabethton, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents Crawford Alexander Smith Sr., and Rita Marilyn Wild Smith; His Sister Sherry and Larry Bowling and his niece Tammy Arrowood.
Survivors include his wife Bobbi Ann Smith, daughter Cary Rogers(Rich),and grandson Donovan Alexander Rogers. Sibling Survivors include sisters Vickie Smith(Carla), Donna Page(Harry Sr.) and one brother Eddie Smith. He had multiple nieces and nephews.
After growing up on the farm Crawford had developed an excellent work ethic. He put himself through college by working nights as the projectionist for ETSU student center. He had a double Major of Math and Physics. Crawford’s was recognized for his intelligence by being accepted to the MENSA society. He demonstrated an excellent ability to solve complex problems. After spending time in Unisys Production Control he learned how the manufacturing systems worked. From this knowledge he became a software developer, systems analyst, Project Manager and Senior Software Executive in several companies. Crawford’s abilities allowed him to succeed across multiple industries like Computer Manufacturers, Logistics and Trucking, Electronics, Space Shuttle Rocket Boosters and Major Software Developers.
Unfortunately he became ill and had to retire at 50 years old and was never able to return. This is where the true fighter in Crawford came out as he fought his illness for over 20 years with declining health. Anytime there was a question on any subject the whole Smith family said let’s call “Doe”. This was a nickname his Mother gave him as he was always a man who was soft spoken and had a huge heart. What he endured was unbelievable but his greatest success was being married for over 50 years and raising a beautiful daughter.
A special recognition goes out to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn and Jacksonville, Fl for their excellent healthcare support over the last 20 years.