Leschen Elizabeth Crawford

Leschen Elizabeth Crawford 

February 21, 1938 – July 7, 2025 

Lindsay, Oklahoma

With deep love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Leschen Elizabeth Crawford, who passed away peacefully at her home in Lindsay, Oklahoma, at the age of 87. Born on February 21, 1938, in Gainesville, Texas, Leschen lived a life full of purpose, grace, and boundless curiosity.

A graduate of Lindsay High School, Leschen continued her education at the Oklahoma College for Women and earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from Southeastern State College. High-school sweethearts, she married the love of her life, Jim Crawford, on August 29, 1959. Together, they began their teaching careers in Felt, Oklahoma, and later returned to Lindsay, where Leschen taught elementary school and raised their family.

Leschen was a life-long learner, a born naturalist, and a joyful adventurer. Whether hiking, skiing, gardening, birding, or walking, she was constantly exploring the world with curiosity and wonder. Her love of nature extended to her careful cultivation of seeds, bulbs, and stories—passed down to family and friends. She had a gift for chronicling life's beauty, documenting birds, plants, travels, and family histories with a deep reverence for the past and an eye always fixed on learning more. She took up piano later in life, a testament to her belief in the power of growth at any age. She was gracious, creative, determined, and deeply kind. Though private in nature, she had a warm and open heart, and her home was always a place of welcome. Far from a passive host, she brought energy, imagination and delight to every game, craft, and activity, always leading with joy and joining in fully.

A member of the Lindsay United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday school and participated actively in the United Methodist Women’s group. Leschen also served her community as a PTA member, Cub Scout Den Mother, founding member of the Lindsay Civic Arts and volunteer at the Lindsay Food Bank. Her faith was expressed through kindness, service and a practice of gratitude.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Jim Crawford; her children, Phillip Crawford and Shari Crawford; her daughter-in-law Priscilla Crawford; and her beloved granddaughter, Rose Crawford. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orlando Silas and Josie Virginia Turner, and her brothers, Charles Robert Turner and Joseph David Turner.

Leschen’s life was a beautiful balance of strength and gentleness, intention and curiosity, tradition and discovery. Her legacy is inspiring others to stay curious, love deeply, and walk gently through the world—always learning, always giving, always growing. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the gift of knowing her.