“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you”. ~ John 14: 1-3

 

Crawford Cullars was born Monday, April 10, 1933 and departed this life on Monday, October 6, 2025 at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC.  He was surrounded by his loving family.  Crawford was one of twelve children born to the late Hull and Mattie Jackson Cullars.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Thelma Brown Cullars of 52 ½ years, his eldest daughter; Rosemary Burroughs; son in law, Chester Burroughs, son; Eddie Shuler and 10 siblings; Clifford Cullars, his twin died at birth; Boise Cullars, Roosevelt Cullars, Claude Cullars, Lula Mae Parks, Bertha Tutt, Elnora Lockhart, Gladys Cullars, Susie Hurley and Lizze Mary Crew.

 

As a young adult, with a grade school education, Crawford left the almost 90 acre farm amassed by their parents in Washington, Ga.  He transitioned from farm life to driving a forklift and performing warehouse duties for Triboro Transportation in Brooklyn, New York until leaving New York at the age of 49.  During his time living in Bronx, New York, he met and married Thelma.  They faithfully attended Spring Green Baptist Church and Greater Universal Baptist Church until they moved to Thelma’s home town of Orangeburg, SC in the early 1980’s where they joined Thelma’s family church, Greater Mt. Pisgah AME Church, in St. Matthews, S.C. where they remained faithful dues paying members.  Crawford utilized the lessons he learned growing up on his family farm and became a butcher, spending the remainder of his working life at Lee’s Sausage Co. in Orangeburg, SC. Crawford Cullars and Thelma Brown purchased a pink house on Greenville Street in Orangeburg, SC building a life together modeling perseverance, tenacity, strength, courage, laughter, good food, hard work and love of family.  

 

Crawford enjoyed his work, always an early riser and a creature of habits and routines. He never left his bed unmade.  He enjoyed long walks, riding bikes, feeding pigeons (any animal really), playing pool, playing cards and watching his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves.  He rarely breaks up the family squabbles about the New York Mets or Yankees being his favorites.  He also enjoyed doing his morning pushups on the fence, cutting the grass using a hand sickle, trimming the hedges, picking up pecans from the yard to give out to family and collecting empty bottles and cans on his long walks to recycle. When it was time to rest, he would retire to his rocking chair on the front porch and then his recliner to watch westerns and TVLand. 

 

Crawford leaves to cherish his memory, three loving daughters; Ann Frances Shuler (Erasmo Gual), Valeria Shuler and Dawn Johnson (Lyman T.) and an honorary daughter, Shirley Garrett; 13 grandchildren; Lashawn Lee, Janel Howard, Felicia Brown, Sean Hunter, Danielle Hatchett, Terri Bennett-Bess, Kip Lee (Koya), Garry Shuler, Ashley Shuler, Channon Burroughs, Nijera Shuler, Nia Shuler, and Teryn Johnson; one brother, Joe Lewis Cullars of Washington, Ga; additional bonus children and grandchildren, Kim Blakeley and Janell Richardson, Jane Hunter, Tonzel Shuler (Helen), and Wilbur Shuler (Queen Ella).  A host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, special relatives and close friends.

 

 

The service will proceed as follows: 

The viewing will be held on Monday, October 13,2025 at Greater Mt.Pisgah AME Church 4859 Old State Rd. St. Matthews, SC from 10:00am until 12:00noon. 

The funeral will be held on Monday, October 13,2025 at Greater Mt.Pisgah AME Church 4859 Old State Rd. St. Matthews, SC beginning at 12:00noon.