Marsene Crawford was born August 28, 1918 in Temple, the son of Hugh Raymond
and Lillian (Smith) Crawford. As a young boy, Marsene moved Bellville where
he spent the rest of his life. He graduated from Bellville High School in
1936 where he participated in all sports but excelled in baseball.
After spending a year doing public works throughout the Midwest, Marsene
returned to Bellville. Shortly after, he signed a professional  minor league
baseball contract with the New York Giants and moved to South Carolina to
play.
After returning to Bellville, he met Lena Schuette of Wallis. On November
7, 1942, Marsene and Lena were united in marriage at St. Paul Lutheran
Church in Brenham.
Marsene served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World
War II. After his honorable discharge, he went to work for A.J. Smith Floor
Company where he was employed for 40 years.
On March 19, 1978, he was inducted into the South Central Texas Semi-Pro
Baseball Hall of Fame. Marsene was a member of St. John Lutheran church and
the Bellville Golf and Recreation Club.
He passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2005 in Bellville  at the age of 86. He is
survived by his daughter: Sandra Awbrey and her husband, Gerald, of Houston;
Son: Alan Crawford and his wife, Phyllis, of Bellville, currently of Doha,
Qatar; and grandchildren: Jason Awbrey and wife, Vicki, Brandon Awbrey,
Sarah Thai and husband, Danny, Kristy Crawford, Duke Ness and wife Lucy,
Austin Henderson and wife, Stacy, and Lori Fetterman. Also surviving are
great grandchildren: Hakeem Marsene Awbrey, Kerouac Awbrey, Jacob Awbrey,
Nathan Thai, Taylor Henderson, Lora Priem, Brittany Kieke, Crag Fetterman
and Corry Feterman; sisters: Nell Blanchard of El Campo, Mildren Plentl and
husband, Lester, also of El Campo, and Dorothy Lesser of Brenham; and many
friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife,
Lena and his brother Bobby Crawford.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aril 23, 2005 at the
Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel in Bellville with Pastor Milroy Gregor
officiating.  Interment will follow in the Oak Knoll Cemetery. Pallbearers
were Jason Awbrey, Brandon Awbrey, Duke Ness, Austin Henderson, Kent Smith,
Michael Plentle, John Hermann, Ricky Smith and A.J. Smith.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Schmidt Funeral Home.

Posted by Joy Neely