Dear Camie,

I am so sorry.

I do know that Darcy felt so at home with your family and I know that must be true of many other people that you have welcomed into your home.

Your dad got to be a grandfather. What a gift.

love from Stevie and Rob Brinkerhoff

Dear Crawford Family,

The news about Mr. C came as a shock to me. He truly was a blessing to every life he touched. I remember pulling into the drive way one of the many days I came to visit and there came Mr. C. He was unloading groceries and before I could even take my seat belt off, he had flung open my car door and gave me a huge hug. That's the kind of person that he will always remain to me in my heart. You were always welcomed into not only his home but his life. I was very sad to hear that he'd passed and I still am. But I know in my heart that he is still looking down on everyone he loved and smiling. He's in a better place now playing with Cody :). I pray that you all are doing well and you are all missed down here in Atlanta.

Love,
Brittany Mixon

Big Chuck

The smile that lit up the room, the radiant essence, the joyful presence, that gentle voice, the constant laughter, the love that he gave abundantly to his children- Charles Crawford was truly a man of the rarest variety. He loved and laughed freely and often, to friends and strangers alike, and always with a twinkle in his eye...

My brother Christian and I once visited Corey and Chuck in Annapolis in what must have been approaching the dead of winter. And on this particular Sunday, weather aside, Chuck treated Christian, Corey and I to a harrowing boat ride atop rough, choppy seas beneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge just for the experience. The boat jumped and reared with every angry wave we attacked, wind at our face, and I distinctly recall clutching the rails of the boat, my brother by my side, each sharing terrified looks, and glancing back to Big Chuck standing proudly at the helm, head held high, grinning...

He was an ace piano player, and ace father, an ace human being. If Chuck's presence in our lives may teach us anything, it is to love freely, laugh often, be good to one another, enjoy chocolate chip cookies, and always smile, because life is beautiful, always beautiful, after all...

-Teddy Sears

Condolences......

It was with a sad heart that I heard the news of Charles's passing. I am the contractor for the new up fit on Charles and Nancy's house. Although I have not known either of them for very long, It feels as if I've known them both for a long time. My first impression of Charles was how truly genuine he was as a person. He always had a great smile and attitude that is uncommon in today's times. It was quite sometime before I became aware that he was sick. After knowing that, I gained a renewed respect for him. His attitude of kindness and cheer never wavered in the face of his own knowledge of his sickness. He always seemed very glad and thankful for the life that he had, and, for good reason, was extremely proud of his wife and family. He was a selfless man. I feel very privileged and enriched to have met and known him. I wish that I had know him longer. He will be missed.

Jesa, Camie, Cory and the rest of the Crawford family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was such a great man and always put a smile on everyones face.. You are all so blessed to have had such a wonderful relationship with your father, I know he was so proud of each and every one of you.. I will always remember his laugh and his hugs and always being there for us as kids growing up..

I wish I could be there with you, my thoughts are with all of you.

Love,
Susan Hanna

New friends

I have met wonderful people in my design business and have had great friendships develop. When I first met Nancy and Charles over a year ago in my shop I was so taken in by their warmth and friendliness. We talked about their home in Wilmington, kayaking and their dog. Later when we started working together I could sense such a strong love surrounding them. I shared this with a number of my family members. I always look for God's presence in this world and when I met Charles I truly knew how blessed I was to be with him . Though my time was brief with him, his smile will always stay in my memory. Tina W.

Charles Crawfords southern charm was irresistible. When you were in his presence his appreciation and joy for life was contagious. He enveloped you in his warm personality and with a wink and a hug, he made you feel like one of the family.
He was so totally dedicated to his children, who were the lights of his life. And so in love with his Nancy, who added such happiness and completeness to his final years.
Charles will live on, in the loving and caring nature of his children, who he cherished so deeply.
He enriched the lives of all who knew him and the Bills family feels blessed to have had him as a dear friend.
Sherrie and Russell Bills

Losing Charles is like losing a brother. Our times in Hillsborough, N.C. where we grew up together and in Chapel Hill where we played music together left memories that time cannot erase. I remember playing "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" on the Inn's piano (Charle's father's favorite song) while his father grinned and Charles danced on a dining room table. I remember the weekend camping trips to Doc Robert's Pond and the frog gigging. When Charles came by to pick me up in his '49 Ford, my father would ask. "No booze or cigarettes or guns?" And we would answer "no" but we had all three. One night at the campsite I teasingly threw a burning twig towards Charle's cot to awaken him. Unfortunate, it struck him behind his left ear leaving a permanent tiny charcoal tattoo behind his ear. I remember the hushed beauty the morning I awoke to a fresh snowfall outside the Inn in downtown Hillsborough where Charles and I enjoyed platefulls of Annie's delicious pancakes. Charles used to pull me in a trailer behind his car while I played ragtime on the Inn's piano along the main streets of Hillsborough. We had "gigs" in a black nightclub near Hillsborough. He loved music so much that he would hitchhike 150 miles from Wingate College to UNC-Chapel Hill to play bass in our rock and roll band, The Jades. What a joy, Charles, to have spent those wonderful years with you and to have experienced the joy flowing out of your beautiful soul. I'll Miss You--Gene Nordan

God Speed CMC3

Dear Crawfords,

What an amazing man your dad and husband was. His smile lit up a room & his presence was magnificent. He will always be remembered in my memory for being such a wonderful family man, he loved you all so much. Don't forget you were the loves of his life, you brought him so much joy & he was so proud to have you all by his side!

What a lucky man he was.

God Speed - Mr. Crawford, your home.

Our thoughts are with you all, Conner & Dianne

Charles Mason Crawford III

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