Charles Ray Crawley

Ray began his life in Alexander Mills, North Carolina, born to the late Charles Goode and Hazel Newton Crawley on July 26,1932. He grew up in the small “mill town” of Forest City, N.C. He graduated from Cool Springs High School and attended East Tennessee State and Gardner Web University where he played football on scholarship. 

After college, Ray served in the United States Airforce. In 1954 he became a pen pal with a young lady he had not yet met. On February 24,1957 he married her, Marion Gray (Todd). Their marriage of 63 years is still a steadfast example of love and devotion to many, especially their children Charles Ray Crawley, Jr., and Gwendolyn Todd Crawley Lewis. Ray worked a variety of jobs including linotype operator for the Forest City Courier Newspaper, drove for Gordon’s Chip and Goodies, delivered milk for Guilford Dairy, and worked for the High Point Enterprise.  

In 1969 the family moved to Waldorf, Maryland when Ray begin working for the United States Government Printing Office. He retired from the GPO on May 2,1997. He was in the Columbia Typographical Union for 50 years. 

Ray’s earthly treasures were his grandchildren, Charles (Ray) Crawley III, Selena Marion Lewis Bevard, Talmage Michael Lewis, William Curtis Crawley, and Grayson Ray Lewis. The roads between Calvert County Maryland and the Outer Banks for North Carlina were driven many times for many years to be part of their activities. 

Ray was an active member of St. Charles Baptist Church where he served as deacon. He was also an active member of Dunkirk Baptist Church.  

His love of sports was gifted to his children and grandchildren who will forever cheer for the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Orioles and especially the UNC Tarheels Basketball team. 

He is proceeded in death by his parents Charles and Hazel, his wife, Marion, and his sister Patricia Ann Poteat. 

Ray is survived by his children Chuck, Beth, Gwen and Mike, grandchildren Ray (Megan), Selena (Andy), Talmage, Will and Grayson, great grandchildren Bailey, TJ, Andrew, Kaison and Atlee, as well as his brothers-in law Ray Poteat and Jimmy (Jean) Todd, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. 

The family will receive family and friends at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736 on Friday March 3^rd 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm.  Funeral Service will be held at Dunkirk Baptist Church 11275 Southern Maryland Blvd., Dunkirk, MD 20754 on Saturday March 4^th at 11:00am. A repast will be served following the service at the church.