Gloria Barsotti Crawford's Obituary
Mrs. Gloria Barsotti Crawford died in her home surrounded by her family on June 4th, 2014. Mrs. Crawford was preceded in death by her first husband, Louis J. Barsotti, by her second husband, Thomas E. Crawford and also by her beloved brother, Robert M. Fachini. Mrs. Crawford was born on November 22, 1927.She attended Little Flower Catholic School and Memphis Catholic High, class of 1945. In her youth, Mrs. Barsotti-Crawford was a dancer, singer and fashion model. As a teen, she won a statewide talent contest for her dancing skills. She was a member of the USO and entertained soldiers with her singing at USO shows in this region during WWII.After the early death of her first husband, Louis J. Barsotti, Mrs. Barsotti-Crawford became president and CEO of the family businesses, Tennessee Tobacco Company, O.J. Barsotti and Co., and B & B Realty. She ran these companies very successfully until the 1980s, when she retired and sold the businesses. She was also owner of Broad Street Liquors, Rebel Liquors, and Peter Pan Grocery Stores.In addition to her foray into the entertainment arts, and into the family business, Mrs. Barsotti-Crawford also enjoyed many hobbies and philanthropic concerns. She loved to sing and also was an excellent cook and loved to needlepoint. She and her second husband, Tommy Crawford, Sr. were once active in Cotton Carnival, several local charities and were also members of several social clubs, including Colonial Country Club, The Exchange Club, Madonna Circle, the Summit Club, and the Catholic Church. She was one of the founding members of St. Louis Catholic Church. She was also a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown.Mrs. Barsotti-Crawford was a devoted and loving mother to six children whom she raised on her own after the untimely death of her first husband. She and Tommy Crawford were married in 1985.She leaves behind her six children, Daniel J. Barsotti of Santa Fe, NM, Ronnie J. Barsotti (Teresa) of Memphis, Helen B. Reeves of Memphis, David L. Barsotti of San Francisco, Donna B. Lajeunesse (Chuck) of Memphis, Andrea B. Bragg (John) of Memphis; her four step children, Tommy Crawford, Jr. (Cathy), Linda Crawford Hydrich (Patrick) of Nashville, Cathie C. Brutcher (Charlie) of Orlando and John Crawford (Janet), of Mississippi and nine grandchildren, Julian Barsotti of Dallas, David Barsotti, John Barsotti, and Michael Barsotti all of Memphis, Christina Reeves of Memphis, Thomas Reeves of Nashville, Andrew Lajeunesse of Atlanta and William Bragg and Charles Bragg both of Memphis.The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until the rosary begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 9 at St. Louis Catholic Church with entombment to follow at Memorial Park Mausoleum.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, 901-767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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