Caroline Crawford

KEOTA-Caroline D. Crawford, age 82, of Knoxville, Tennessee, formerly of Keota, died Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Caroline was born July 17, 1942, in rural Keota, Iowa, the daughter of Bernard M. and Adella (Adam) Greiner. She graduated from St. Elizabeth High School, attended business school for one and a half years and then graduated from cosmetology school. On April 8, 1972, she married Wilbur “Bill” Crawford in Richland, Iowa. After living in Richland for a brief time, the couple moved to the family farm in the Keota area where Caroline worked as a cosmetologist for 25 years, in addition to raising her three children. Caroline moved to Knoxville in March 2020 where she spent the past four years at Parkview Senior Living Community. She was a member of Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota and the Altar and Rosary Society. 

Caroline enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren in their formative years followed by attending all of their sporting events and activities, baking for family and friends, spending time outside, and attending exercise classes at the YMCA in Washington while residing on the family farm. After moving to Knoxville, Caroline participated in many if not all activities at Parkview and found great pleasure in bible study, welcoming new residents and socializing with friends.

Survivors include three children: Carol (Howie) Akins of Knoxville, Tennessee, Patrick (Kim) Crawford of Keota and Christine Crawford of Albia; six grandchildren: Peyton (Madison) Crawford of Readlyn, Carson (Cienna Coffman) Crawford of Keota, Chase and Carsin Kindred of Ankeny, McKenna and Brayton Striegel of Albia, one great-grandson: Dawson Andrew Crawford of Readlyn and another great-grandson due in December; six sisters: Donna (Robert) Marshek of Iowa City, Bernadine (Dick) Huff of Tiffin, Martha (Don) Mousel of Clear Lake, Irene (Red) Gipple of Crawfordsville, Kathleen (Kevin) Greiner of Keota and Theresa (Deb) Greiner of Washington and three brothers: Francis (Evelyn) Greiner of Keota, Ernest Greiner of Ollie and Anthony (Cathy) Greiner of Keota. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill in 2018; in-laws: Omer and Violet Crawford; grandson: Dawson Crawford; sister: Mary Catherine Greiner and three brothers: Arnold, Elmer and Kenneth Greiner.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church September 9, in Keota at 11:00 am, with nephew Rev. Jake Greiner officiating. The service will be livestreamed on Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service's website. A visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am prior to the Funeral Mass. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Mary Cemetery in Keota. A Celebration of Life will be held at Parkview Senior Living Community at 770 Broome Road in Knoxville on August 18 at 4:00 pm with Pastor Larry Cline presiding.

Donations in honor of Caroline can be made to: The YMCA of Washington County, The University of Tennessee Medical Center Hospice Services in Knoxville and Hardin Valley Church of Christ of Knoxville. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Caroline and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.