Stella Marguarite Ralston Crawford, 96, of Monroe, passed away Friday, December 24,1999. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Samuel Cleo Crawford, her brother, Forrest Ralston and her foster son, Freddie Klages. Stella was born in Mt. Solon, Va., March 29, 1903. She completed her study of music at Shenandoah Collegiate Institute in Dayton, Va. and later graduated from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, with degrees in history and education. Stella touched the lives of countless public school students during 29 years of teaching. She lived in many different communities during 51 years of marriage to Rev. Crawford, who was minister of First Baptist Church of Monroe from 1955 to 1960, where she is still a member. Stella was an accomplished pianist, organist and gardener. Stella is survived by four daughters, Ellen Hopkins of Monroe and her husband, Delos, Ruth Ragsdale or Reisterstown, Md. and her husband Walker, Lois Bonwell of Toms River, N.J. and her husband Raymond, Jr., Lelia Sullender of Fincastle and her husband George. Four foster sons are Charles Lucado, John Lucado, Charles Fisher and Charles Clatterbuck. Grandchildren are Bob Hopkins, Dianne Parker and husband Bruce, Mary Hopkins, Susan Lloyd and husband Jamie, Steven Ragsdale, Raymond Bonwell, III and wife Heidi, Matthew Bonwell, Scott Sullender, Tracy Rhodes and husband Mark. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. December 26,1999 at Driskill Funeral Chapel of Amherst. A funeral service will be held Monday, December 27,1999 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Monroe. A graveside service will follow at Amherst Cemetery. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Monroe.

Roanoke Times, VA, Dec. 26, 1999