Gladys Geraldine "Gerry" Crawley

Gerry Crawley, a retired teacher, 84, of San Antonio, Texas, passed to her “Final Home” on Monday, January 9, 2023, at the North Central Baptist Hospital, after an eleven month battle with cancer.

A Memorial Celebration of Life and burial services for Gerry Crawley will be held at the Bailey Presbyterian Church at a future date with Pastor Eric Maddott officiating.   Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Gerry was born to Grady and Gladys Crawley in Kosciusco, Mississippi, on March 19, 1938.  She spent her early years with her mother and relatives while her father served in the United States Army.  She was a long-time resident of Meridian, Mississippi after WWII.  Gerry received her Teaching Bachelor of Arts degree from Belhaven College and her Master of Arts with Michigan State University while teaching in Okinawa, Japan.  After graduation Gerry taught first grade in Gulfport, MS, and then joined the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS), and was assigned to Stephenville, Newfoundland, followed by Mannheim Elementary School, Mannheim, Germany.

After three years in Germany, her career redirected a bit, returning to the United States, teaching at Snail Lake School in the Mounds View Schools, St. Paul, MN.  Friends Sylvia Cazares and Jan Putz, having all met in Germany, were reunited and shared an apartment.  After five years in the northern snow and cold, taking advantage of skiing opportunities, Gerry changed paths once again and joined Sylvia and Jan in Okinawa, Japan, back in the DoDDS program, where Gerry taught the following 26 years.  She often turned down opportunities to transfer to other DoDDS Schools throughout the world, unwilling to leave her “Island Paradise.”    Beside its obvious WWII historical interest, Okinawa also provided countless travel opportunities, including tours to mainland Japan, India, Afghanistan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.  Military flights were often available to Taiwan, the Japanese mainland, Korea, and the Philippines.

Okinawa was a restored natural paradise, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea.  Beachcombing was the premier hobby on both Okinawa and the many surrounding islands.  Particularly rewarding were the “Treasure of the Seas” glass fishing net floats that managed to elude the sharp coastal coral.  Gerry had dozens of them in all sizes.  She also had an additional serious hobby of photography.  While teaching in Mannheim, she availed herself of the opportunity to learn how to roll, develop and print film of all sizes.  She had a unique eye in recognizing and photographing nature, and all living things, especially children.  She would carry three cameras on each outing and travels:  color slides, black and white for prints, and movies, creating many memories with her artistic talents.  She never overlooked the “small things,” even teaching her classes how to raise ladybugs and silkworms.  Gerry always “stopped to smell the roses.”   She loved all of God’s creation.  Gerry retired in 1998, moving back to Meridian to care for her mom.  After her mom’s passing, Gerry made a final move to San Antonio, Texas in 2007, where “The Three MESSketeers” were back together in retirement.

As a friend, Gerry was a daily example of a God-fearing Christian.  She loved our Lord and lived her life by the Scriptures, with kindness, truth, honesty, love, and a wonderful sober-faced quick wit that left a comforting softness in hearts.

Gerry was active with music and singing groups throughout her life.  Most recently she was a member of the San Antonio Oasis “Silver Sounds” chorus, and the “Serendipity” Ladies Barbershop Harmony Quartet.  Gerry loved to play her guitars and sing in informal gatherings.  She was a supporter of the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and several humanitarian, environmental, and faith-based charities.  Her sports interests included Karate lessons, water and snow skiing, tennis, and watching the San Antonio Spurs and figure skating competitions.  She was a member of the Bailey Presbyterian Church in Meridian, Mississippi, retaining friendships and contacts with her beloved “church family” there, and was an active attendee at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio.

Gerry was an only child and has no known remaining family.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Grady and Gladys Crawley of Meridian, Mississippi.  Gerry will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her, including her dog, Wrigley.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com

Gerry would appreciate that memorials be made to The African Bible Colleges, P. O. Box 103, Clinton, MS 39060.