Margaret Claire Russell Crawford Beard

Margaret Claire Russell Crawford Beard, 85, of White Oak passed away Monday, Oct. 3, 2022 in White Oak. She was born Oct. 2, 1937 in Mineola to Hadie Mae Bostick and James Ernest “Foots” Russell. She attended Mineola ISD where she was a high school cheerleader, crowned football sweetheart her senior year and crowned Queen of the Watermelon Festival. Margaret married Bobby J. Crawford in 1956 and they had three children: James Noble “Jay” Crawford, Nancye Claire Crawford and Russell Lang “Russ” Crawford. Margaret was a member of Winterfield Methodist Church for many years, and a member of the Home Demonstration Clubs of Gregg County. Margaret loved watching the Longview Lobos, the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers through the years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her two grandchildren. In 1998 Margaret retired from the City of Longview. In 2002 Margaret met and married Joe Don Beard of Hallsville. In 2014 Margaret changed her church membership to Valley View Baptist of Longview. Margaret and Joe Don loved to travel and had 18 fun-filled years before he passed away in March 2021.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Nancye Claire Alston and husband Kenny Wayne of White Oak; son, Russell Lang “Russ” Crawford and wife Connie of Gilmer; daughter-in-law, Michelle Arnold Crawford of Longview; granddaughter, Amber Claire Robinson and husband Jeremiah of Kilgore; and grandson, Seth Walker Alston and wife Drue Marie of Rowlett.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Hadie Mae Bostick and James Ernest “Foots” Russell, and stepmother, Lessie Powell Russell of Mineola; son, James Noble “Jay” Crawford of Longview; and husband, Joe Don Beard of Hallsville.

Graveside service was held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at Cedars Memorial Gardens, Hwy. 69, in Mineola. The family received visitors at that time.

The family would like to thank HeartsWay Hospice of Northeast Texas and Elite Private Sitters for their loving and compassionate care.

Radar Funeral Home in Longview provided arrangements.