Evangeline “Van” Crawford

Evangeline “Van” Crawford

December 30, 1936 - September 28, 2022

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Evangeline Shepherd Crawford, loving mother of three and doting grandmother, passed away at the age of 85 in Whitley County, Kentucky. Van was born on December 30, 1936, in Perry County, Kentucky, to Bill and Nell Shepherd in their home. Born premature at just 3 lbs., she was the fifth child of seven. She finished high school in Hyden, Kentucky, and attended Eastern Kentucky University. With a bright mind for math, she worked for two and a half decades in banking.

Van met Stephen Farmer at a basketball game when she was 15, and they married in June 1955. Together, they raised three children: Sherrie, Renee, and Steve, of whom they were incredibly proud. She was later blessed with six grandkids, six great-grandkids, and many loving nieces and nephews. In the late 90’s, Van married Ralph Crawford , who loved her deeply and with whom she had many adventures.

Van had many passions – none greater than her love of family. Many of her family would gather over holidays and the Shepherd Family Reunion to eat good southern food, sing, worship, laugh and play – a tradition that she has continued to this day. She spent every Christmas with her children and grandchildren, playing cards and games, cooking fabulous meals, and cheering on Kentucky. She loved UK sports just about as much as she loved her family – so much so, that she became known as “Kentucky Granny” later in life.  She simply did not miss a UK football or basketball game, and no one knew the stats of every player better than she.  Between games and time with family, you might find her gardening, reading, cooking, listening to gospel and country music or drinking coffee with dear friends and her precious dog “Lulu.”

Above all, Van was known for her kind heart, quick wit, and infectious laugh. She was truly one of a kind.

Van was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Nell Shepherd; her siblings: Billy Shepherd, Dorothy Lyons, Kenneth Shepherd, Bobby Shepherd, and Brenda Ledbetter; and her husbands, Steve Farmer and Ralph Crawford. She is survived by a large, grateful family who loved her dearly, including her children: Sherrie Hancock (married to Kenny), Renee Balcaen (Norm), Steve Farmer (Alexandra); her grandchildren: Anne Toomey (Dan), Chris Hancock (Liz), Mary Prevost (Parker), Stevie Farmer, Stephanie Farmer, and Brodie Farmer; her great grandchildren: Beckett and Ella Toomey; Penn, Annie, John and Kenny Prevost; her sister, Phyllis Stidham; and loving cousins, nieces, nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, October 3, 2022, in the Hart Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Wynn officiating.  Burial will follow in Locust Grove Cemetery at Keavy, Kentucky. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Monday at Hart Funeral Home, located at 1011 Master Street Corbin, KY 40701.

 

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