Martha Crawford (2-28-11)

JEFFERSON – Martha Bray Crawford, 80, died Monday, February 28, 2011.

Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Harold Franklin “Boots” and Christine Wilkes Dowdy. She was a retired clerk with the Jackson County Tax Commissioner’s office and a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church. Mrs. Crawford was preceded in death by husbands, Ralph “Pee Wee” Bray Jr. and Johnny Crawford; sister, Mary Bray; brothers, Charles and Ronnie Dowdy; and son-in-law, Tommy Adams.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Frankie and Kathi Bray, Jefferson; daughters and son-in-law, Debbie and David Lance, Jefferson, and Pam Adams, Commerce; sister, Joy Wood, Jefferson; brother, Jerry Dowdy, Cornelia; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2, at 11 a.m., from the Bethany United Methodist Church with the Revs. Bill Hayes and Mike McLemore officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Drew Bray, Ron Dowdy, Rod Dowdy, Steve Dowdy, Hal Dowdy, Mark Hardigree, Brayson Mitchell and Chase Mitchell honored as pallbearers. Don Burchett and Doug Waters will be honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Flowers are optional with memorials to be made to the St. Mary’s Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.