A funeral service for Mrs. Coila Bird Crawford, age 103, of Carthage, TX will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Carthage with Pastor Leah Hanks, Mr. Dennis Smith, and Rev. Keefe Cropper officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Carthage. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Friday prior to the funeral.

After a long and full life, Coila Crawford has passed away and entered into eternal rest. She left this world of family and friends, Tuesday, January 22, 2013. Next week she would have celebrated her birthday of 104 years.

She spent her life in Carthage Texas, residing on the same tract of land. She was born January 30, 1909 to Leo and Checkie Bird. She graduated from Carthage High School in 1928 and then attended SMU & SFA. Coila married Rapheal Crawford, Sr. of Beckville on October 23, 1931. They were married for 49 years before his death in 1980. Coila was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1923 (81 years). She was active with the Keenagers and her Sunday school. She loved her church and her Savior. Her bible was her constant companion lying beside her bed. Reading it was the first and last thing she did each day. She was very involved in many community activities.She was an original member of the Good Earth Garden Club and won many blue ribbons for her flower arranging. Coila always had fresh flowers in her home, consisting of flowers that came from her very own garden. Coila was also a member of the local Sewing Club and she did needle work up until a few weeks before her death. Making sure all of the grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even the great-great grandchildren had beautiful sequin Christmas stockings. Everyone loved listening to her stories of early Carthage and all the changes that occurred. Her home is the only house left in the area that was once fields and dirt roads with many residents. Preceding Mrs. Crawford in death are, husband, Rapheal Crawford, Sr.; grandson Clint Crawford; brothers, Julius Bird and Buddy Bird; and parents, Leo and Checkie Bird.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Rapheal Crawford, Jr. and wife Rebecca of Carthage; two grandchildren, Corey Crawford of Winnsborro and Curt Crawford and wife Tesa of Carthage; six great -grandchildren, Holli Crawford Mejia, Carley Crawford, Kirstyn Crawford Jacks, Robby Crawford, Bambi Crawford Bowen, and Jon Crawford; seven great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by a special niece, Janis Peterson and a special friend and sitter, Alice McBryde.

Honoring Mrs. Crawford as pallbearers will be Corey Crawford, Curt Crawford, Judy Bird, Dennis Smith, Rosser Crawford, Jr., and Freddy Peterson.

Honorary pallbearers are Bill Reynolds, Charlie Coleman, and John Goolsby.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby or Heart's Way Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.