Jennie Louise Crawford

Jennie Louise Crawford (nee Kingston) was born May 6, 1930, in Kuttawa, Kentucky, the fourth child of Benjamin and Mary Kingston. She was one of seven children and enjoyed a happy childhood in the country as the daughter of a farmer. She loved to tell stories of her days outdoors with her siblings. She always spoke of her love for climbing trees - a pastime that brought her mother much dismay. In the early 1930s, the family moved to Illinois, following a flood that took their home. After living in a tent for a period of time, they moved to a farm outside Eldorado. Jennie completed an 8th grade education at the Murray School of Saline County. At the age of 12, Jennie took notice of the neighbor boy, James (J.E.) Crawford, who took notice of her as well. Their friendship began when she carried him a cold drink as he helped in her father's field. Teenage dates to the movies grew into a passionate and loving relationship. At the age of 18, J.E. moved to Chicago to pursue work. Their relationship continued through loving letters full of affirmations and declarations of their affections. When Jennie was 17, on February 19, 1948, they were married in Carmi, IL, in the living room of a preacher, with two friends and the preacher's wife as witnesses. The marriage lasted 57 years, until J.E.'s death in 2005. Jennie missed him sorely from the moment he left her. To the union were born three daughters, Marilyn Louise, Deborah Jean, and Elizabeth Ann. In 1959, the family moved to Florissant, Missouri, where they lived for many years. In the mid-1960s, J.E. and Jennie were introduced to Jesus in a new and profound way, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Their lives were changed. They spent decades in ministry, pastoring Faith Apostolic Tabernacle in Moline Acres, MO that later became Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Florissant, MO. Jennie was a faithful pastor's wife, standing proudly beside her husband through both the joys and woes of ministry. She truly served the Lord with gladness. She was a living example for her children and grandchildren of how to live a Christian life. Jennie was a loving mother and grandmother who loved to rock her babies on her lap. She cared for children her whole life, babysitting into her 80s. Holding babies brought her great joy, even until her death. She had a special bond with her great-granddaughter Rachel, who was a kind and loving companion to her in her old age. Jennie left this life peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2024, at her home at the age of 94. She had a long, happy, and blessed life. Though we ache at the loss, we find comfort in knowing that she's gone on to a great reward, and that if we're faithful, we'll meet her again on the streets of Glory, when finally we'll see Jesus face-to-face. Jennie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Rev. James E. Crawford, her parents, 5 siblings, one daughter, Deborah Gill, a granddaughter, Amy Pavish, and a grandson, Nicholas McCullough. She is survived by one sister, Betty Hooten of Indiana, her daughters, Marilyn (Ken) McCullough of Troy, MO, and Elizabeth (Donald) Counts of Middletown, MO, 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Family and friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel located at 351 Monroe Street Troy, MO 63379. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel in Troy, MO. Interment will be held at the Masonic Cemetery in Raleigh, IL. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to Ashley Pentecostal Church, in care of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel P.O. Box 222, Troy, MO 63379. Arrangements are under the direction of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel; 351 Monroe Street Troy, Missouri 63379 Online condolences may be made at www.kemperkeimfamilyfuneralchapel.com Phone 636-528-8221

Jennie Louise Crawford

May 6, 1930 - September 27, 2024