Laura Alexandria Davis Crawford (known as "Laura Senior" to many), 89 of Oakmont, died Wednesday, August 16, 2023, after a brief illness.

Born in Roseann, Virginia on 1/2/34 —a nice memory convenience for those challenged with remembering dates, but a mnemonic that escaped her own notice until her 80th birthday party —Laura is remembered especially for a life of love and service to others. Though somewhat reserved and serious herself, in 1957 she married John K. Crawford, Jr., a boisterous prankster, who together with Laura balanced one another's eccentricities and strengths. The two lovingly raised three sons (Laura was too fearful of yet another boy to try a fourth time for a girl!), served in loco parentis to their grandchildren each and every summer, fostered a war refugee, hosted numerous impromptu dinner guests and sleepovers, cared for many beloved four-legged family members, even unwittingly sustained a few unwelcome deer and rabbits from the bounties of a proper homestead garden.

Laura was among Virginia Tech's first female graduates, with a degree in Home Economics. She began her career as a social worker who faced the horrors of child protective services with the strength and practicality of the model Appalachian woman. She later served the Commonwealth of Virginia from her long-time home in Tazewell as a cooperative extension homemaker, assisting the County agriculture agent, and coordinating the Commonwealth's four-county 4H Summer Camp program.

A nearly half-century member of the Tazewell Christian Church, she served as a deacon for many years there before relocating to Oakmont, Pennsylvania to be closer to her sons and grandchildren, where she eagerly joined the Oakmont Presbyterian Church. She soon volunteered in service with the Soup's On outreach ministry, making many friends (and many pots of soup!) for her beloved and welcoming new church family.

She made plastic canvas ornaments —exasperatingly nicknamed "kudzu" —for everyone she knew, sewed doll clothing and crib quilts for her grandchildren, gave generously to those in need, and often handed out baked goods or homemade jams to those who probably need not. Though never heard in public, her family can attest to the rare (but always justified) letting forth of a thunderous holler, and at her most stern was even called a "tough wife." But she was much better known as a woman of quiet faith, a longtime servant of the church, a dedicated volunteer with Soup's On and the Oakmont Lions Club.

Even with the greatest fortune and a life filled with love and joy, hers also had its share of loss. Laura was preceded in death by her eldest son, Gregory, her husband, John, her sister, Nelena, and her brother Harvey (Uncle Danny), as well as her parents and other less-near but still dear friends and relations. She leaves behind in grief and in joy, her children, Kenneth Crawford and wife Diane McNally, of Plum, PA and Charles Crawford and wife Meghan of Moon Township, PA; grandchildren Kristopher Crawford, Laura Adiletta and husband Dan, Emily Rich and husband John, Margaret (Rowan) Crawford, and Charles Crawford; and great-grandchildren Keelan, Chloe, Warren, Lilah, Dexter, and Nora.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 11 am, Saturday, September 2, at Oakmont Presbyterian Church,
415 Pennsylvania Ave., in Oakmont. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests any monetary gifts be sent to the Laura Crawford Memorial Scholarship Fund, Oakmont Lions Club, PO Box 335, Oakmont PA 15139, or to the Oakmont Presbyterian Church Friends of Music, 415 Pennsylvania Ave., Oakmont PA 15139.

Arrangements entrusted to the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., Oakmont.