Ruth Elizabeth Thomas Crawford, 95, of Greensboro, NC passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

A native of Chase City, VA, Ruth was the wife of the late Edward Eugene Crawford and the daughter of Ira DeWitt Thomas and Winnie Ethel Chapman Thomas, both deceased.

Ruth was a kind, gentle, and humble person with a playful personality and an independent spirit. At 16, she left home in Greensboro to go to Washington, DC to work for the FBI for two years during World War II. Returning home, she worked for Burlington Industries for 60 years where she was a highly respected lead secretary. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a life-long member of Lawndale Baptist Church. She loved singing in the “Voices of Experience” senior choir. Ruth loved gardening, watching birds, playing golf and being with family. She had a gift with children and her grandchildren and later great grandchildren were her particular delight.

Survivors include her son, Michael Thomas Crawford and wife, Sarah; daughter, Karen Phillips and Harry; grandchildren, David Michael Crawford, Zachary McKee Phillips, and Eliza Gray Phillips; and great grandchildren, Thomas Asher Crawford, Isaac Gray Whitcomb, Nizorah McKee Phillips, and Zuko Orion Phillips.

In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her siblings, Ira Warren Thomas, Ava Pauline Thomas, Willard Eugene Thomas, Hubert Roland Thomas, Winnie Georgianna Thomas, and Julia Irene Thomas.

The family will visit with friends from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services Lambeth Chapel, 300 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27408.

A graveside service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, August 26, 2024, at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Greensboro, NC. 

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com