Rita Crawl Obituary Rita Pauline Crawl January 19, 1945 - February 25, 2020 Sedley, VA - Rita Pauline Crawl, 75, a resident of Sedley, VA, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2020, from the complications of Alzheimer s Disease, surrounded by her family, at The Riverside Healthy Living Community, Magnolia Manor "The Garden", in Smithfield, VA. Rita was born January 19, 1945, in Sullivan, IN. She was the daughter of the late Warren and Norma Elizabeth "Betty" Canada. Rita was a 1963 valedictorian graduate of Midland High School, Midland, IN, and received both her bachelor s and master s degrees in elementary education from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. Teaching elementary education and reading in particular, were Rita s passions. Throughout Rita s 40 year career in IN, OH, and VA, involving many school systems, Rita never lost her desire to ensure the success of every student. Her continual quest for educational excellence, leaving no child behind, was a hallmark of her career. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, James, of 51 years, who resides in Sedley, VA, four brothers and sisters: Sharon Welch, Dale Canada (Dianne), Vence Canada (Teresa), and Phyllis Franklin (Dale) who reside in IN, a daughter Linda Marie (Steven) Henk and three granddaughters: Lauren Keefe (Sean), Rachel Henk, and Katie Henk who reside in VA, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, all residing in IN. She was a life-long member of the Church of Christ, with her latest church family in Suffolk, VA. Rita enjoyed everything related to her grandchildren s activities, whether it be Girl Scouts, family outings, or field hockey games. Rita and her husband traveled extensively, and made many trips, including Ireland, Canada, Alaska, and several vacations to the western states, to visit the National Parks. Rita enjoyed the great outdoors, which included hiking, camping, and gardening. She was a member of the Meherrin Piecemaker s Quilt Guild, and regarded as an expert quilter. She made many exceptional quilts for family members, constructed a special "Underground Railroad" quilt, and made presentations at many local schools during Black History Month. Rita and her husband were members in the VA/NC Cars are Fun Club, and actively supported and participated in Club functions. Rita devoted countless hours of service to the community, and was a Girl Scout camp director for many years. Rita served as a teacher for a world-wide bible study outreach program in developing countries, and regularly corresponded with many eager students who were enrolled in Bible courses. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all the doctors and nurses, who provided such loving and expert care during Rita s illness at Magnolia Manor "The Garden". A special thank you to Debbie, Sheila, and the entire Riverside Hospice Team for their superb support, and to the Alzheimer s Association Memory Loss Support Group of Franklin, VA. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, from 6-8 PM at The Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, VA. Burial arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita s memory can be made to the Alzheimer s Association of Southeastern VA. Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory - Franklin on Feb. 26, 2020. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Rita-Crawl 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/rita-crawl-obituary?id618149 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Rita Pauline Crawl, born on 19 January 1945, passed away on 25 February 2020 at the age of 75. A dedicated educator, she spent 40 years inspiring students across several states. Rita cherished her family, enjoyed outdoor activities, and was an accomplished quilter. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services Rita Pauline Crawl's visitation occurred on 3 March 2020. Burial arrangements were pending, with the family expressing gratitude for the care provided during her illness. ### The Edited Obituary Rita Pauline Crawl 19 January 1945 - 25 February 2020 Sedley, VA - Rita Pauline Crawl, 75, a resident of Sedley, VA, passed away peacefully on 25 February 2020, from the complications of Alzheimer's disease, surrounded by her family, at The Riverside Healthy Living Community, Magnolia Manor "The Garden," in Smithfield, VA. Rita was born 19 January 1945, in Sullivan, IN. She was the daughter of the late Warren and Norma Elizabeth "Betty" Canada. Rita was a 1963 valedictorian graduate of Midland High School, Midland, IN, and received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. Teaching elementary education and reading in particular were Rita's passions. Throughout Rita's 40-year career in IN, OH, and VA, involving many school systems, Rita never lost her desire to ensure the success of every student. Her continual quest for educational excellence, leaving no child behind, was a hallmark of her career. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, James, of 51 years, who resides in Sedley, VA, four brothers and sisters: Sharon Welch, Dale Canada (Dianne), Vence Canada (Teresa), and Phyllis Franklin (Dale), who reside in IN, a daughter Linda Marie (Steven) Henk, and three granddaughters: Lauren Keefe (Sean), Rachel Henk, and Katie Henk, who reside in VA, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews, all residing in IN. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, with her latest church family in Suffolk, VA. Rita enjoyed everything related to her grandchildren's activities, whether it be Girl Scouts, family outings, or field hockey games. Rita and her husband traveled extensively and made many trips, including Ireland, Canada, Alaska, and several vacations to the western states to visit the National Parks. Rita enjoyed the great outdoors, which included hiking, camping, and gardening. She was a member of the Meherrin Piecemakers Quilt Guild and regarded as an expert quilter. She made many exceptional quilts for family members, constructed a special "Underground Railroad" quilt, and made presentations at many local schools during Black History Month. Rita and her husband were members of the VA/NC Cars Are Fun Club and actively supported and participated in club functions. Rita devoted countless hours of service to the community and was a Girl Scout camp director for many years. Rita served as a teacher for a worldwide Bible study outreach program in developing countries and regularly corresponded with many eager students who were enrolled in Bible courses. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all the doctors and nurses who provided such loving and expert care during Rita's illness at Magnolia Manor "The Garden." A special thank you to Debbie, Sheila, and the entire Riverside Hospice Team for their superb support, and to the Alzheimer's Association Memory Loss Support Group of Franklin, VA. Visitation will be on Tuesday, 3 March 2020, from 6-8 PM at The Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, VA. Burial arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Southeastern VA. Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory , Franklin on 26 February 2020. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Rita Pauline Crawl | |---------|-------------------------------| | Age | 75 years | | Birth | 19 January 1945; Sullivan, IN | | Death | 25 February 2020; Sedley, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------| | Rita Pauline Crawl | Decedent | Sedley, VA | | James Crawl | Spouse | Sedley, VA | | Warren Canada | Parent | -- | | Norma Elizabeth Canada | Parent | -- | | Linda Marie Henk | Child | VA | | Lauren Keefe | Grandchild | VA | | Rachel Henk | Grandchild | VA | | Katie Henk | Grandchild | VA | | Sharon Welch | Sibling | IN | | Dale Canada | Sibling | IN | | Vence Canada | Sibling | IN | | Phyllis Franklin | Sibling | IN | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Rita Pauline Crawl was born on 19 January 1945 in Sullivan, IN. 2. She graduated as valedictorian from Midland High School in 1963. 3. Rita earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. 4. She had a 40-year teaching career across Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia. 5. Rita was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. 6. She was an accomplished quilter and a member of the Meherrin Piecemakers Quilt Guild. 7. Rita enjoyed outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and gardening. 8. She actively participated in community service, including serving as a Girl Scout camp director and teaching a worldwide Bible study outreach program. 9. Rita and her husband traveled extensively, visiting places such as Ireland, Canada, Alaska, and various national parks in the western United States.