- Date Of Birth: July 12, 1924
- Date Of Death: July 5, 2017
- State: North Carolina
Dorothy C. Theis passed away on July 5th after two brief hospitalizations, one week short of her 93rd
birthday. She was predeceased by her first husband Richard D. Crawford and second husband Robert
E. Theis; her parents Walter Wendell Fye and Ada Hartley Fye; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth
Fye Schucker (Jim) and Carol Fye McWilliams (Glenn).
Born in Mattoon, IL, Dorothy and her family moved to Mt. Carmel, IL where Dorothy entered the 9TH grade. It soon became apparent to her parents that she had a passion for music.
Attending Mt. Carmel High School, she met Richard “Dick” Crawford, probably through their common involvement in choral music: a cappella choir and ensembles. They were married after Dorothy’s graduation in 1942. Dick and Dorothy attended the University of Illinois, Dorothy studying music while her husband completed his electrical engineering degree. When Dick graduated in June 1945, he was hired by RCA in Camden, NJ. They moved to nearby Oaklyn, NJ where their two sons, Richard D. Crawford II and David Wendell Crawford were born. During their years in New Jersey, Dorothy continued to develop her career as a church organist at nearby Methodist churches. Later, she added choir directing responsibilities as well. Music was her joy in life through which she expressed her faith, her talent and excellence.
Dick passed away suddenly in September 1983. After his death, Dorothy continued to be a blessing to many through opportunities through music in Malvern, PA.
After a wonderful 24 years together in the “Old West,” learning to shoot handguns (both had guns in holsters hanging from their bedposts. Rick’s son called her Granny Oakley) and made many trips to cities and countries around the world, Bob passed away at age 92. Dorothy subsequently moved to Raleigh, NC in 2012 living only 3 miles from the home of her son, Richard and his wife Janice.
She stayed in assisted living residences for 5 years until her death. Being in Raleigh gave her the opportunity to get to know her granddaughter Cathy Crawford Anastasio (Rob) and their daughters, Jocelyn and Evelyn Anastasio who lived nearby. Dorothy was always stunned that they were her great-granddaughters.
Surviving Dorothy are her son Richard Crawford and his wife Janice of North Carolina, their son John Crawford of Tennessee, daughter Cathy Anastasio and her daughters Jocelyn and Evelyn of North Carolina; her son David Crawford and his wife Mary Anne of Maine; her step-children Terry and Debbie Buchen and daughter Elizabeth of Idaho, Linda Buchen Rogala and Brad of California, and Laura Buchen Skerski (husband Phil passed away in 2016) of Tennessee and their two children Jason Skerski of Tennessee and Autumn Skerski-Stella, her husband Darrin and their two children Vincent and Madison of California.
Surviving their Aunt Dorothy are four nieces and three nephews with their large and growing families.
Dorothy passed on peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom she served so faithfully playing the organ and piano for 78 years. She lived in Falls River Village and Court where she continued to play the piano and sometimes lead/encourage others to sing along. In her last hours when two staff members entered her room, she turned her head, nodded and spoke her typical warm greeting and answered “yes” with a smile. Her family very much has appreciated the love and wonderful care shown to Dorothy by the staff of Falls River Village and Court. Thank you!
