Wanda Fae Crawley

Wanda Fae Crawley, age 63, passed away Sunday morning, January 27, 2013 at her home in Batesville, MS. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 31, 2013 at Wells Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Derek Boyd, Rev. Wes Sherman & Rev. Lee Graham officiating. Interment to follow in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery located on Hwy 315 between Batesville and Water Valley, MS. The family of Ms. Crawley will receive friends Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wanda was born in Batesville, MS to Viola Maynard & Tiger E. Crawley on August 31, 1949. Many people will remember Wanda as a jovial, fun loving woman who enjoyed gospel music. For many years she traveled around Mississippi & Tennesse playing the piano and singing with gospel quartets. Wanda was extremely talented, musically and she shared her talent with hundreds of students with whom she taught voice and piano lessons. Wanda served the Lord in many capacities during her earthly life, one of which was being the church pianist and organist. She served in many north Mississippi baptist churches, including Hebron, Harmontown, Twin Lakes and Pilgrims Rest Churches. For years she was an active class member in many Explorer's Bible Studys in Batesville. Wanda was a very active member of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church until she became too ill to regularly attend. Ms. Wanda graduated from Batesville High School in 1967 and from there she continued her education at Delta State University, and on to William Carey College then to the University of Mississippi. Her professional career kept her close to home, as she worked for the United States Postal Service. She began working in Lambert, Mississippi's post office, then moved on to Water Valley, where she began beating the pavement as a city route carrier. Years later she was promoted to the position of "window clerk", there she continued to develop many friendships in the small town. In late 2010, Wanda had no choice but to take early retirement from Grenada, Mississippi's post office because of her illness. She had served the USPS for 23 years. Immediate family members who will cherish her memory and hold her near and dear to their hearts include, her sister, and closest companion, Dot Crawley Heath of Batesville, MS, 2 brothers, Al Crawley (Dianne) of Jackson, MS and Melvin Crawley (Vicki) of Pontotoc, MS, Son-in-Law, Derek Boyd (Karla) of Mesa, AZ 3 grandchildren, Bowen, Jackson & Lily Grace Boyd of Mesa, AZ and 3 nieces, who were like her daughters, Susan Heath Wright (Kenny) of Brandon, MS, Sherry Heath Austin (Allen) of Courtland, MS and Rhonda Heath Mastin (David) of Holly Springs, MS as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by, her only child, Tina Fae Caruthers Boyd, a sister, Libby Crawley Sherwood, brothers, Joe A. Crawley & Tiger Willard Crawley. Those honoring Wanda as pallbearers will be Allen Austin, Noah Brooks, John Crawley, Patrick Crawley, David Mastin & Austin Wright. Honorary Pallbearers are: Dr. Willie Crawley, Phillip Cain, Paul McGehee, Floyd "Buddy" McGehee, Donnis South, E.J. Robison, Tim Barnett, Hugh Barnett & James Rodney Hudson. Those wishing to send memorials may send those to: Pilgrims Rest Cemetery Fund, 470 Pilgrims Rest Rd, Batesville, MS 38606 or The Gideon Bible Ministry, Panola Camp - P.O. Box 791, Batesville, MS 38606.