Ms. Heather S. Crawley

Heather Susan Crawley, 79, of Maryville died peacefully at her home surrounded by her children on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Heather was born September 2, 1941, in Romford, Essex, near London, England. Heather graduated in 1965 from Brentwood College of Education, a teacher training college in Essex. She taught in primary schools for several years in Essex and in Yorkshire. In 1978, she emigrated with her former husband Michael Crawley and their young family to Maryville, TN, for Michael’s work. In 1993, Heather graduated from Maryville College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Humanities. She loved learning, and the first course she took at Maryville College was Appalachian Studies. She wanted to learn all about the area where she had come to live. After graduation, Heather volunteered in the college library. Heather was an avid hiker and photographer. She loved to hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more than 20 years, Heather hiked every week with a group of friends. She got to know the trails, the spring wildflowers, and the places in the park intimately. Sadly, on one of the trails in 2016, Heather was hiking with her cherished life companion of 15 years, Hugh Morgan of Knoxville, when he experienced cardiac arrest. During their years together, Heather and Hugh traveled extensively both internationally and in the US. Hugh was also Heather’s patient and helpful companion while she followed her great love and hobby of photography. Many of Heather’s photos have won awards locally, and copies of her beautiful photo cards of the local flora and fauna are regularly requested by many. Heather was predeceased by her parents Ellen May Jefford and William Thomas Gough Jefford of Ingatestone, Essex. Heather was greatly loved by daughters Catherine Emma Crawley (Richard) and granddaughter Hannah of Stowe, VT; Sarah Louise Flynn (Brock) and granddaughters Grace and Brooke, and grandsons Andrew and Elijah of Westcliffe, CO; and son Benjamin (Angela) and step-grandsons Gabriel, Casey, and Bradey, of Maryville, TN; sister Valerie Ann Pressley (John) of Hartley, Kent, England, and brother Keith William Charles Jefford (Iris) of Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, England; and many nieces and nephews and their families in England. She will be deeply missed by many great friends far and wide. The family wishes to thank UT Hospice and FirstLight for their compassionate care and support during the last months of her life. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Heather’s memory to the Cancer Support Community of Knoxville or Friends of the Smokies. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ms. Heather S. Crawley please visit our Sympathy Store.