Nancy Crawford

Nancy Crawford left her daughter, family and friends on January 1, 2014 to be with her Lord. Born in Hot Springs, AR, Nancy was a Catholic and a member of St. John’s Parish, but, also attended St. Joseph’s Chapel. Survivors include: her daughter, Vicki Armen Crawford; one sister and brother-in-law, Leon and Lena Joyce Roberts of Hot Springs; niece and nephew-in-law, Tina and JR Kimmerly of San Antonio, TX; niece, Kay Everett of Hot Springs; and nephew, Ricky Frazier of Hot Springs, as well several grandnieces and grandnephews. Nancy was a devout Catholic from an early age. She was chosen by Father McCoy to crown the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 2nd Grade. She attended St. John’s Kindergarten through the 8th grade. She attended Mount Saint Mary’s Academy in Little Rock. Sister Mary Barbara called Nancy the “Pillar of the Church” as she never missed a Mass for 5 Years. Nancy was blessed with an extended family that she loved as her own: Tyler Cassidy Clinton, who was like a grandson to her; Roger Cassidy Clinton, who was like a son to her; Pat Switzer and June Beach, who were like daughters to her; and Former President William Jefferson Clinton, Former Secretary Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, whom she was so proud of with all of their many accomplishments and who were always so very kind to her and her family. Additionally part of Nancy’s extended family included: the Conrad Wilson Family; Jackie White, her longtime dear friend from Mt. St. Mary’s Academy; Emilie Martin, who took very good care of her during her back surgery and opened her home to her; Molly Clinton, Dr. Walter Frazee and family; Carme Pitrello; Violet Howe Isaacs and family; the Jim Crawford and McElligott Family; the Will Schubert Family; Clay Farrar and family; Mimi Ryan, who was like an adopted sister; Donny Keck, her friend and accountant for many years; her beloved Virginia Clinton Kelley Birthday Club, who she held very close to her heart and every member was loved by her; the Cavnor Family; Mike Seba; Rachel Heffernan; Sondra Hemmingway; Lynda Dixon; Janis Queen; Joe Bob & Nancy Garner; Patsy Burtness; and Tommy and Audrey Pratt of New Orleans, who invited Nancy and Gabe to stay in their home after the 1973 New Orleans fire and sniper attack. Nancy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Brown Adkins; her mother and father, Ollie and Walter Belinge; her aunts, Jessie Howe, Louella Strickland and several other cousins. Nancy now joins her dearest friends, Virginia Clinton Kelley and Dick Kelley; her former husband, A.G. “Gabe” Crawford, who was a great teacher for her in business and a huge influence in her life; and Vivian Hart who was like a second mother to her, several of the original members of the Virginia Clinton Kelley Birthday Club; Tomi and Bill Green; Jean and Leonard Ellis; Senator and Mrs. Q. Byrum Hurst; Dixie Seba; James White; Jimmie Red Jones; Paul Maummar; Wanda Sallee and her dog, Spencer, who was always there for Nancy; and Dr. George Queen, who was her family doctor and good friend of 40 years and clearly missed by her. During her lifetime, Nancy served on the Boards of the United Fund and The Kidney Foundation of Arkansas. She was a member of the Virginia Clinton Kelley Birthday Club, VCK Democratic Women’s Club, Emblem Club and the BPW Club. She served as Justice of the Peace; she was also a cosmetic buyer at Crawford Drug, Central City Shopping Center. Later, she was elected Secretary/Treasurer for Central City Merchants Association and served as the Promotion and Advertising Director for Central City Shopping Center. Nancy always gave credit to Floyd Emerson for all the help he gave her in advertising. She also had a Children’s Act with Business Partner, Tavia Loyd Weidman, called the “Character’s”. They often performed at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and were regulars at such venues as the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock, Central City Shopping Center, Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, various banks in Arkansas, Kmart Shopping Centers in Arkansas and Texas, children’s parties, and other engagements. Nancy enjoyed her participation in many political campaigns including former President William Jefferson Clinton’s various campaigns from 1974-1992, Senator Q. Byrum Hurst; Judge Hank Britt; Judge David Switzer; Sheriffs Leonard Ellis, Larry Selig and Larry Sanders; Mayors Dan Wolf and Tom Ellsworth, Alderman’s Jess Kimball; and Prosecuting Attorney Paul Bosson. Nancy and Gabe loved Duck Hunting in Gillett, Arkansas and Pheasant Hunting in Waterton, SD and Crawford, Nebraska. One of her favorite pastimes was playing Texas Hold Em’ with her poker club that included Dixie and Mike Seba; Rachael and John Heffernan; Dr. George and Mimi Ryan; Jimmie Red and Shirley Jones; and late husband, Brown Adkins. Nancy held a passion for horse racing and would frequently join Dick Kelley in his box at Oaklawn Park, while her special close friends, Virginia Kelley and Dixie Seba, were seriously handicapping the day’s races and could only be interrupted to say, “Hello & good-bye”. She loved playing the Wheel of Fortune Slot Machines and was fortunate enough to find some slot machine action in Las Vegas just a few weeks ago. Visitation will be held at Hot Springs Funeral Home at 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4th. Services and Rosary will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church on Sunday January 5th at noon, with Father James West officiating. The burial will be held at Crestview Memorial Park. A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held immediately following burial at the Elks Lodge, 132 Abbott Place. Nancy wanted to share heartfelt thanks to the special doctors who have consulted on her health throughout the years; in particular, Dr. George Queen, Dr. Patrick Dolan, Dr. Stan Josef and Nurse Mary, and Dr. Nizar Suleman. In addition, the Nancy Crawford Family would like to thank Dr. Larrison, Dr. Mogri, Dr. Koehn, Dr. Joe Howe and all her nurses (who so accurately nicknamed her “Spunky Crawford”) on the 5th floor both in the Step-Down Unit, as well the nurses in the Arkansas Hospice Care Unit who took such impeccable care of her during her last days. Pallbearers will be Ray Wilson, Joe Switzer, Floyd Emerson, Dr. Walter Frazee, JR Kimmerly, and Joe Bob Garner, Jr. Honorary Pallbearer’s will be: Ricky Frazier, Roger Clinton, Tyler Clinton, Carme Pitrello, Former President William Jefferson Clinton and family, Jackie White, the David Switzer Family, Mike Seba, Sam Smith, Lynda Dixon, Valerie Maummar, Carolyn Huber and family, Mary Helen Beardmore, Peggy King, and Nancy Garner, Dr. Bill Mashburn and family, Dr. Walter Loyd and family, Fred Loyd and family, Jim Crawford, Dr. Paul Gardial, Nurse Missy, Dr. Patrick Dolan, Dr. Stanley Josef, and Dr. Nizar Suleman. Donations to honor the life and memory of Nancy Crawford can be made to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital or the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.