Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Columbia for Kenneth Collins Crawley, 76, of Columbia, who passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Dr. Bryant Barnes will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Hathorn Funeral Home and from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Columbia.

Dr. Kenneth Crawley was a lifelong resident of Columbia, Mississippi. He practiced dentistry in Columbia for over 50 years. He and his staff provided dental services more typically found in larger cities. This was due to Ken's determination and commitment to learn new procedures and techniques through continuing education. He took pride in being able to treat almost any dental challenge.

Determination and commitment were evident in other facets of Ken's life. He was an avid hunter spending hunting season all over Marion County with fellow sportsmen. Golf was an important part of his life. He played regularly with friends at Columbia Country Club and Canebrake Country Club. He enjoyed competition and the camaraderie of these regular games and loved playing in tournaments.

In addition to his professional impact on Marion County, Ken had state and national influence. He was a member and President of The Mississippi Dental Association, Mississippi Association of Dental Examiners and American Association of Dental Examiners. Ken and Beverly interacted with dentists from all over the country annually making many lifelong friends.

Ken was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Columbia. He sang in the choir and played the trombone as part of the music services.

Ken loved travel with Beverly. Destin and Gatlinburg were annual retreats. More recently visits with Ella and Michael, their grandchildren, made Memphis his favorite destination.

Dr. Crawley is preceded in death by his father Collins Crawley, his mother Alice Crawley, brother Donald Crawley and sister Joan Snook.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beverly; children, Nicole Saunders (Patrick) and Kenneth Crawley II; grandchildren, Ella and Michael Saunders; and nieces and nephews.

Ken's love of and dedication to the people of Columbia and Marion County is his legacy. It is estimated that he treated over 9,000 individual patients over the course of his career.

The family wishes to make a special thank you to the dental office staff for their many years of love and support; and a special thank you to Dr. Kotikalapuda.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.