GERI CRAWFORD MEMORIAL TRUST FUND

This trust fund was started in August 2012 to honor Geri Crawford (April 10, 1923-September 22, 2011) whose life story reflects many of the issues that Children First fights to bring to the attention of Alabama's leaders and policymakers.  A loving wife, mother of three sons, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mrs. Crawford was a great friend to many and a leader in her church and community. Born on April 10, 1923, Geri lost her mother at childbirth and was abandoned by her father because he was unable to care for a newborn baby girl.

Very little was revealed about her childhood but Geri grew up in Atlanta’s orphan and foster system. At age 16, Geri left her “adopted” home, falsified her true age and entered the adult work force working in retail and performing secretarial duties, all the while living in a boarding house and making it on her own.

In 1941, Geri married Charles Gordon Crawford raising three sons in a very nurturing and caring home. She outlived her husband of 68 years by nine months.  Geri succumbed to Parkinson’s disease on September 22, 2011, but despite her deteriorating condition she never gave up. She battled for a remarkable 19 months while under hospice care.

Geri was a survivor because of her eternal optimism, personality, and dedication to others. She is not only survived an abandoned, abusive childhood but also endured cancer three times; diagnosed in 1955, 1971, and 1975.

Despite childhood and health challenges of her own, Geri spent her entire life, volunteering and counseling both troubled children and adult cancer patients. Her smile was a bright star, her Christian values and leadership touched many lives and her eternal optimism about the gift of life was extremely contagious.

She was truly an inspiration to many and she will be missed.

**Please make sure to put "Geri Crawford Memorial Trust Fund" in the comments section of the donation page.