Joyce G. (Gibson) Crawford

Joyce G. (Gibson) Crawford, 91, of Kingston, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord on Thursday, December 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in Allied Services Hospice, Wilkes-Barre.

Joyce was born in Charlottesville, VA, on March 13, 1933. She was proud of her Southern heritage, and often visited family and friends and kept in close contact throughout the years.

In 1946, her family moved to Pennsylvania, and she graduated from Kingston High School in 1950.

Joyce was a lifelong learner. She was both family-oriented and a dedicated career woman, excelling in various professions. She worked in the banking sector, including roles at the Wyoming National Bank and within its trust department. In addition, she owned and operated several local dress factories, including Catalina Dress in Ashley, and Lola Dress in Wilkes-Barre. A passionate advocate for those in need, Joyce's unwavering faith inspired her to champion the underdog. She took pride in hiring, training, and building lasting friendships with many employees.

After she retired from her two distinct careers, Joyce fulfilled a long-cherished dream: to be a Church Secretary. Joyce applied to and became an administrative assistant with the Presbytery of Lackawanna for over ten years. She would often say she was as close to Heaven as possible!

After her second retirement, Joyce wanted to help people in another capacity, so she went to work as a caregiver for Home Instead Senior Care, Inc. Joyce was awarded Caregiver of the Year in 2017. Her natural gift for helping people brought her much fulfillment in knowing that she made a positive difference in the lives of many.

Joyce was ever present, offering her unwavering support to those in need. She was also the President of Schuyler Avenue PTA and a Girl Scout Leader for many years. She was a founding member of Messengers of Joy, a Christian Clown Group. This ministry visited nursing homes to bring a smile to people in need for over 20 years. Joyce was proud of this work, and even her children and grandchildren clowned at one time or another. In addition, she was a member of the Harmony Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.

Joyce was an avid world traveler, embarking on journeys to diverse destinations such as Mexico, Spain, Africa, Greece, Italy, India, and the Islands. Her adventures enriched her with invaluable experiences and deepened her appreciation for romance languages and the charm of European culture.

Joyce remained steadfast in her faith and was a follower of Jesus. She was a servant leader in her church, Dorranceton United Methodist Church, Kingston, since 1953 where she held many official positions, including Lay Leader and Visiting Minister for many years.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, in 1972, a

granddaughter, Sarah Wargo Buczek, and a sister, Whilmena Gibson.

She will be dearly missed by her sister Charlene Hardik, her four daughters, Donna Crawford Coslett, and Diane Crawford Wargo, twins Lisa Crawford Braen (Martin) and Lori Crawford Baltruchitis; grandchildren, Benjamin Coslett, Bradley Coslett, Brooke Coslett, Joshua Wargo (Whitney), Jillian Baltruchitis, and Cameron Baltruchitis; great-grandchildren, Jacob Buczek, Kinsley Wargo and Reagan Wargo, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Dorranceton United Methodist Church, 549 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, with the Rev. Thomas Swingle officiating.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church.

Joyce’s family requests that memorial donations be made to Shriner’s Hospitals, c/o Irem Shrine Center, 70 Ridgway, Drive, Dallas, PA, 18612, or to the Allied Services Hospice, Wilkes-Barre, in her memory.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Daniel J Hughes Funeral & Cremation Service, Wilkes-Barre.

#Gibson #Crawford