James "JT" Crawford

James Thomas (JT) Crawford, age 75 of Maryville, formerly of Beckley, WV & Sterling Heights, MI passed away Sunday, December 23, 2012 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He and his wife Carolyn were happily married for 25 years. J T was a deacon & long time member of Victory Baptist Church of Maryville and served from 1959-1966 in the first squadron onboard the nuclear powered US Enterprise, the world's largest carrier at the time. His recent trip of a lifetime was spent with his son, Tom at the decommissioning of the carrier in Virginia. JT was an avid soldier for the Lord Jesus Christ, spending time with children in Awana's, teacher of small age groups, adult groups, led Bible studies and ardent church supporter. His heart's desire was to serve the prison ministry, active in the Anderson County Solway Prison ministry, Blount County Jail ministry, Florida and Kentucky. He was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather and Uncle to his many nieces and nephews and many young people, he "adopted" along his journey. J T never saw strangers, just friends he hadn't met. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas & Nora Crawford; wife, Sandra Williams Crawford; infant sister, Camelia & brother, Roger Crawford, all of Beckley WV. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn S. Crawford, Maryville; son, Tom Crawford, Ann Arbor, MI; step-daughters, Nyana Hill & husband, Don of Walland, Laryssa Short of Knoxville; step-son David & Sue Short, Yale, MI; grandchildren, Jared Faulkenberry & Cristen, Lee Summitt, MO; Stephen Faulkenberry, Walland; Elena & Thomas Rozek; Samantha Short, & David Short, Jr., all of Yale, MI. Brother, Robert & Virda Crawford, Sister, Carol & Dennis Polk of Beckley, WV & sister, Clela & John Cox, Mabscot, WV. Many nieces and nephews, special family friends, Janette Haywood & David Gould. Pallbearers: Jared Faulkenberry, Stephen Faulkenberry, Kurt Haywood, Kyle Haywood, Clay Haywood & David Galentine. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at Victory Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Victory Baptist Church Youth Department, 1025 Montvale Road, Maryville, TN 37803. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM with Rev. Steve Craft officiating. Family and friends will assemble for interment at 10:30 AM, Thursday, December 27, 2012 at Grandview Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithMaryville.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James "JT" Crawford please visit our Sympathy Store.