Ada "Verneith" (Brown) Crawford, 95, died Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. Verneith was born to Charles A. Brown and Iva Edna (Norvell) Brown on March 18, 1914, in Tucumcari, NM. Charles and Edna were homesteaders in New Mexico near the turn of the century. They met and married in Tucumcari. Verneith was raised in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. After graduating from college in Oklahoma, she returned to Texas, where she went to work for the United States government. During World War II, she worked for the Army Finance Office in Fort Worth. It was there she met and married Buford "Jack" Crawford in 1943. Two children followed and then a move to the West Coast. Verneith held responsible jobs as an Executive Secretary and later, as a Technical Report Editor. Upon retiring at age 55 to 11 acres in Southern Oregon, she became dedicated to raising as much of her own food as possible. Each year, she donated fresh fruit and vegetables to Senior groups in her area. Verneith was a strong, intelligent, hard-working woman, who was loved and admired by family and friends. As a small child, she overheard her mother and a friend discussing their heritage. She asked her mother, "What am I?" She was told, "Scotch, Irish, Swedish, Cherokee - and bulldog."

Verneith is survived by her daughter, Sally (Gary) Henkel of East Wenatchee; and her step-daughter, Rosemary Mathis of Thorndale, TX. Grandchildren are: Denise Blackwell and Chris (Lindsay) Perry, both of the Wenatchee area; Jeffrey Crawford, Sandi (John) McEnery, Tom Crawford, Diane (Bob) Bramblett, Ginger (Chris) Martin and Anna (Tom) Fallon, all of the Atlanta, GA area. Step-grandchildren are: Allen (Pam) Henkel, Debra Knappert, Jason (Nikki) Henkel and Jeramey (Crystal) Henkel, all of the Wenatchee area; and Darrell (Sheila) Covington of Jacksonville, NC. Many beloved great-grandchildren also survive. Lifelong cherished friends are brother-in-law, Meekly Goble; and sister-in-law, Mahala Brown. Verneith was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack Crawford; brother, Charles "Durward" Brown; sister, Martha Goble; son, John "Mike" Crawford; step-son, Jack H. Crawford; and grandson, Torey J. Blackwell.

At her request, No Services will be held. In Verneith's honor, an Open House Gathering will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 26, 2010, at 804 N. Iowa in East Wenatchee.