of Conway, AR
November 12, 1961 - June 22, 2025
Deborah Jeanne Crawford arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 12, 1961. She was the middle child of Billy and Ruth Kellermann Crawford, the younger sister of Lisa, the older sister to Tommy. Her siblings both called her Deb; however, she was affectionately known to others as Aunt Deb, Coach Crawford and the "Purple One".
Deb was a coach, an athlete, an aunt, a Godmother, a niece, a cousin, a loyal friend and she was a dog mom to her spoiled boys: Tucker, Charlie, Chance and Casey.
She graduated from St. Joseph High School where she played basketball for the Lady Bulldogs and she graduated from the University of Central Arkansas where she obtained her teaching degree. She taught mathematics and she coached basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis and track for the Hughes Lady Blue Devils, Ashdown Lady Panthers and Jasper Lady Pirates before retiring. She remembered all of her players by name and she loved them dearly.
In her retirement, she loved to take naps, solve Sudoku and most of all, she loved spending time with her nieces and nephews, Matt (Angela) and Carroll Ann Crawford, Parks Crawford, Jessica (Matt), Emily, Forrest, Charlea and Joni Kiani, Ben (Amanda) Hart and Bailey Hart.
She held a special place in her heart for Ginny, Amanda and Sandy Pryor.
Along with her nephews and nieces, Deb is survived by her brother, Tom (Mary) Crawford; her soul sister, Earlene Carter, who was with her through all the tough times and her girl group of close friends whom she loved deeply.
Deb was preceded in death by both of her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Clay Hart and her beloved first dog-son Tucker.
Deb would have been pleased for memorials to be made to the amazing Dachshund rescue from where she adopted her pups:
Jeff Tarpley Rescue
407 Cummings Lane
Texarkana TX 75501
Or
St Joseph School Endowment
1315 College Avenue
Conway AR
Or
Buy pizza for the women's athletic program closest to your heart!
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 28th at 10:00 am at Roller McNutt-Conway, with a rosary beforehand at 9:30am. Everyone knows that Deb did not dress up, so…please be you! Wear what makes you comfortable. Wear your team colors if you wish.
Sign Guestbook
18 Condolence(s)
Donald McMillen
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Our condolences to all of Deb's family. I will miss her consistent and faithful friendship.
Donny & Martha McMillen
Earlene Carter
Friday, June 27, 2025
It is so very hard to believe that Deb is gone.
My heart and thoughts are with her family and friends. Please know that you are not alone in remembering a truly wonderful person that meant so much to so many.
I will cherish the memories ❤️
Karen Graham
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Deb was an amazing friend for about 40 years. Love, hugs, and prayers to her family and friends. It gives me peace and I am thankful to know I will see her again.
Jacqueline Kordsmeier
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Sad to think there will be no more visits with Debbie. What a great lady! May she rest in peace. To the family - she loved you more than can even imagine. She always had stories to tell of the family.
Amelia Bower
Thursday, June 26, 2025
I was saddened and shocked to hear about coach's passing. Deb was my coach from pee-wee until I graduated high school. I was also her teacher's aide in high school, and manager for the softball team. When I didn't order a softball hoodie, because I didn't consider myself part of ''the team'', coach ordered one for me and surprised me with it. I still have it (16 years later). Coach will definitely be remembered by all who knew her.
Bill Crawford
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
So sorry for your loss, I know Deb will be missed by her family and her friends, I was shocked to hear the news, praying for your family.
Jeff Middleton
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
I was the K-7 counselor at Jasper when Deb was there. Nobody but me (and now all that read this) would ever know how often she would look me up and we would talk to me about concerns she had for some student. It was not only athletes, or girls either. It might have been some knucklehead 7th grade boy in her math class, or some 8th grade girl being bullied. She always had an organized attentive classroom, as well as a team ( well, almost always!😃)
Her players loved her even when they had trouble sitting because of the holes she had chewed in their rear ends!
Linda and I both considered her a great friend and loved dog sitting for Tucker. She turned that little old house on the corner into a warm and homey place, where everyone was welcome.
I feel confident speaking for everyone else when I say that my life better in so many ways for having known her.
I think she may be playing on or coaching a heavenly team, maybe even occasionally stepping over the line of the coach's box!
🙏🏀🥎🎽🐶🐕'🏡🥰🙏
Abigail Gerth
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
My thoughts and prayers are with Deb's family during this heartbreaking time. Deb was like family to me " so kind, caring, and full of warmth. I will miss her so much.
Martha McMillen
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
I'm so very sad that Deb is gone. Cousins were my first playmates and best of friends! I will always remember Deb as a kind and caring person!!! Rest in Peace!
Karla Beene
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Our deepest sympathy to the Crawford family on your loss. Debbie was a classmate of mine & I was sad to hear of her passing. She always had a great smile & was kind to whoever she met. May she rest in peace.
Karla & Ricky Beene
Sandra Farmer
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of Deb's passing . I taught with her at Jasper. She was a wonderful lady and a good friend. She will forever be Coach Crawford in my heart. Prayers for all the family 🙏🙏🙏
Darrell Major
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
I just cut her hair a couple of weeks ago and she was fine. What a tragic and unexpected loss to us all. Such a fine person,I will miss her. Darrell Major.
Chris Hogan
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
My thoughts and prayers are with Deb's family. She was the best Aunt to Jessie, Ben, and Bailey. She always greeted me with a smile and a good story about Ben or Jessie.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Carla Kelley
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Prayers for Deb's family & friends. Crawford was a one in a million, her kind heart and her dry Witt. I've been blessed for over 40 years with her friendship. I Love you Deb…❤️
Mary Ellen Kordsmeier
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
So sorry to hear about Debbie. I hadn't seen her in years, but I remember her well as a Lady Bulldog basketball player for St. Joe. She was always such a great athlete and was a fun person to be around. So sorry she is gone.
Karen webb
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Sorry to hear about your sister passing
Rick and Wanda Van Dyke
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Sending love a prayers to all. Deb was an amazing friend!
Donny McMillen
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
So sorry for the loss of Deb. She visited us regularly. She will be missed!
Condolences…