Irene Crawford

Irene Gayle Crawford, 79, of Corpus Christi, formerly of Brenham, died March 8, 2006, in Corpus Christi. Mrs. Crawford was born August 6, 1926, in Goose Creek, Texas, to Frank and Martha Pemberton. She attended school in La Porte and earned a BS and MS at Sam Houston State College. She received a teaching certificate from the University of Houston. On Oct. 4, 1947, she married B.C. Crawford. Mrs. Crawford taught at Navasota High School, nursery school in Kirbyville, Blinn College, Bellville High School and Brenham High School. She retired from teaching to care for her parents. Mrs. Crawford held several state offices in Science Teachers Association of Texas, several offices in Classroom Teacher s Association, TSTA, and held life membership and several offices in Retired Teachers Association. A lifelong Baptist, Mrs. Crawford was a board member of First Baptist School, a founding member of Fellowship Baptist Church, was commissioned as a missionary in the Mission Service Corps a retiree s volunteer Baptist missions organization and served many years with youth groups and taught Sunday school. She was also a member of Fortnightly Club of Brenham. After the death of her husband, she moved to Corpus Christi near her daughter where she made many friends. Survivors include her daughter, Sue Tomlinson of Corpus Christi; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald R. and Lois Pemberton of Nipomo, California, John D. and Annette Pemberton of Denton, Mary Pemberton of Snook, Lt. Col. Thomas E. and Laura Crawford of Henderson, Walter D. Crawford of Carthage and Charles D. and Louise Crawford of Henderson. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Dwane Hutto of Maine, Martha Hutto-Zick of San Antonio, Walter D. Crawford of Carthage, Joseph Crawford of Henderson, Kathryn Hall of Henderson, Steve Pemberton of Atlanta, Georgia, Laurie Linne of Prescott, Arizona, Elizabeth Pemberton of Denton, Marilyn Christian of Houston and Sherrie Pemberton of Briar Cliff, New York. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Martha Pemberton; her husband s parents, Bessie and Thomas Crawford; her husband, B.C. Crawford; an infant son, Joseph Crawford; two brothers, Jack C. Pemberton and James R. Pemberton; and sisters-in-law, Bennie A. Hutto and Zora B. Crawford. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 16 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. A memorial service will be held Friday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. in Memorial Oaks Chapel. Memorials may be given to Faith Mission, Covenant Baptist Church in Corpus Christi or Fellowship Baptist Church in Brenham.