Obituaries

Cecil Burton Crawford

Cecil Burton Crawford: 1936 - 2026

Cecil Burton Crawford “Burt,” of Macon County, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026 at his home, surrounded by family who loved him so very much.

He was born June 5, 1936 in Franklin, NC, to the late Cecil and Flora Crawford. Burt shared 72 years of marriage with his beloved wife Ruth Nicholson Crawford. Together, they built a life that was centered around faith and family and created a legacy that reaches through generations.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Nicholson Crawford; his children, Deborah Chastain (Larry), Wanda Clark (Sam), Tony Crawford (Viola) and Lynn Gibson (Danny); his grandchildren, Michael Chastain (Kim), Matthew Chastain (Kelli), Mark Chastain (Anna), Isaac Clark (Tinian), Anthony Crawford (Austin), Rebecca Gable (Cliff), Benjamin Gibson, and Anna Gibson; and his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Evie, Adie, Nathanael, Julie, Zoe and Abigail Chastain, Riley and Waylon Crawford, Mahayla, Cole, Cheyenne and Riverlee Gable. He is survived by one sister, Geneva Crawford Burnette (Richard), five sisters-in-law, Olga Nicholson Huscusson, Eoline Nicholson McCoy, Mary Johnson Crawford, Emily Parker Crawford, and Pauline Browning Crawford and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Flora Robinson Crawford, his sister, Ruth Crawford Slagle and husband Fred Slagle, brothers, George Crawford and wife Kate Crawford, brothers, Preaulo Crawford, Bruce Crawford and Kenneth Crawford, and Lowell and wife Mary Crawford; and brothers-in-law, Herby Dillard Nicholson, Jr., Grady Byron Nicholson and wife, Margie Nicholson and Tommy McCoy.

Burt lived a life of service and devotion to sharing the Gospel. Burt surrendered the call to preach at Mt. Hope Baptist Church. He pastored for over six decades in North Carolina, Virginia and in Georgia before returning to Franklin. He started his ministry at Windy Gap Baptist Church in Franklin. He helped established East Franklin Baptist Church and later Bethesda Baptist Church in Franklin. While pastoring in Georgia he helped establish the Northeast GA Independent Baptist Fellowship that still meets monthly. When his health began to decline he enjoyed worshipping with other church families, including South Macon, Grace, Windy Gap and Cartoogechaye Church of God, that took him and Ruth under their wings.

Burt loved to sing and enjoyed using his voice for the Lord. The true measure of his ministry cannot be counted in years, sermons preached, songs sung or churches served, but in the lives changed, families touched, and the souls who came to know Jesus because of his service to the Lord.

Burt was bi-vocational. He worked in Construction and enjoyed anything that had to do with operating heavy equipment.

Burt’s family takes great comfort in knowing that after a lifetime spent telling others about Jesus, preaching and singing about his heavenly home, he has now entered it.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Michael Chastain, Matthew Chastain, Mark Chastain, Isaac Clark, Anthony Crawford, and Benjamin Gibson. Honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandsons, Ethan Chastain, Nathaniel Chastain, Waylon Crawford, and Cole Gable.

A funeral service will be held Sunday October 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM in the Grant Chapel of Bryant-Grant Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the funeral home. Pastor Willis Shankles, Pastor Albert Grey, Pastor Benson Galloway and Pastor Sam Clark will officiate. Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Macon County, NC.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gideon International or the Macon Baptist Association, 110 Doraul St. Franklin, NC 28734.

Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Crawford family.

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