Anna Marie Thurston Crawford, 50, of New Castle, formerly of Richmond, was called home Monday, August 6, 2012, after a very courageous battle with cancer. She fought many obstacles during her years and died so with dignity and grace. She was a strong willed woman and her conviction was to never give up. She vowed to fight till she could not fight any longer. She gently went to sleep last night with her family and friends around her. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Forest and Lillian Thurston and James M. Myers. She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-laws, Christopher and Michaela Crawford and Johnny Michael and Suzanne Crawford; grandparents, Edith Myers and Gatha Raymond; mother and stepfather, Norma and Louie Frango; father and stepmother, Bert and Allie Thurston; stepfather, Robert (Bob) Raymond; siblings, Lynn and Chris Blevins, Bobby and Kim Raymond, Allen Thurston, Wesley and April Thurston, Carroll Lee and Cathy Thurston, Darrell Frango, Darren and Sharon Frango, Mike and Angie Allen, David and Debbie Boitnotte, Jonathan and Lory Strong, Jimmy and Joanne Strong, Terry McGowan, and Tricia Stephans; grandbabies, Langley, Rylen, Logan and Dylan Crawford; babies, Danielle, Dylan, Lexi, and Tori; special friends, Johnny Crawford, Betty Stimeling, and Amy Turner (who was like a sister).
Mom, daughter, sister, we are thankful your battle in pain is over and that God has wrapped you in his comfort. We will miss you until we see you again. God took an angel home and we can't wait to see you again some sweet day. We love you!
Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, August 9, 2012, at Mt. View Christian Church with Jim Morris officiating. Interment will follow at Huffman Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at Paitsel Funeral Home. www.paitselfh.com.

Published in Roanoke Times on August 8, 2012