Charles Joseph Crawford

Charles Joseph Crawford, 83, loving husband, father, grandfather, and humanitarian passed away on March 16, 2015. As a Buncombe County native, he went to Asheville City schools, attended college at University of North Carolina and retired from the North Carolina Department of Revenue after more than 30 years of service. His survivors include his wife, Billie; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Karen Crawford; grandchildren: Dr. Talia Crawford and her husband, Dr. Ziad Taimeh; Officer Tyler Crawford and his fiance, Christina Mineo; Tatham Crawford; Tia Crawford and her fiance, Lon Chaney; and niece, Cathy Jackaway and her husband, Paul. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mae Crawford; his son, Terry Crawford who passed in 1974 and his sister, Lois Hall, who passed in 1991. Charles was a dedicated humanitarian who was very active in his community. His many contributions and accomplishments include his work in the Buncombe County school system as a community mentor and surrogate grandfather to several of the students. He worked with the Boy Scouts of America for 45 years and achieved the level of Scout Troop Leader. One of his greatest joys was going on trips with his scout troop members and observing the boys' achievements and self-improvement as they progressed in the program. He worked with Habitat for Humanity and relished in the joy on the faces of families as they received keys to their new homes. He organized and directed multiple blood drives for the American Red Cross. Along with his wife, Billie, he helped fund the Welcome Table, which continues to provide meals to underserved members of the community. He was also a 57-year member of the Biltmore Masonic Lodge #446. In addition to all of his extracurricular activities, he was an active member of Groce United Methodist Church. His favorite hobby was stamp and coin collecting. The memory of Charles that will forever remain in our hearts is that of a man whose passion burned bright in his witty sense of humor, his love and dedication to his family and his presence as a leader and civil servant in the community. We will miss you Grandad... In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Groce United Methodist Church building fund. Visitation for friends will be held at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2015. Graveside services will be held at Skyview Memorial Park at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015, with masonic rites performed by the Biltmore Masonic Lodge. The lodge will open at 10:45 a.m. on Friday. Funeral services will follow at Groce United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m., officiated by the Revs. Gerald Davis and Avery White.