Frieda J. Crawford
March 14, 1927 ~ October 30, 2022
Frieda J. Crawford, 95, of Columbus, passed away Sunday October 30, 2022 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. She was born March 14, 1927 in Shelby County the daughter of Wallace and Ruth Fately.
Frieda was a long time member of the Asbury United Methodist Church. She also was a very active member of the Sigma Phi Gamma, Alpha Xi chapter for over 75 years where she had held many offices both locally and internationally. She was the editor of her high school newspaper all four years in school and at the age of 17 went to Washington, D.C. to work for the Department of the Navy. Frieda formerly served as chairman of the Bartholomew County Republican Party and was active in party politics. She was made a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Robert Orr and received many letters from many Presidents and Governors thanking her for her help.
Frieda and her husband, Harold were world travelers and lived in France for a time. She was an accomplished artist and a published author with one of her books in the Library of Congress. Frieda was the most avid Pacers fan you could ever meet. She was a great story teller. She taught the younger generation about the older generations thru her stories; however, she did not want to be bothered before 10:00 a.m. and after she had 2 cups of coffee.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday November 7, 2022 in the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Larry Kleinhenz officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest next to her husband Harold in Garland Brook Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Frieda is survived by her nieces and nephews, David Hudson, of Columbus, Mitchell Hudson, of Seymour, Karen Mason, of Indianapolis and Connie Fowler, of Evergreen, Colorado. Frieda was preceded in death by her husband, Harold in 2014; seven sisters, Justine Sullivan, Pauline Simmonds, Marjorie Coombs, Mary Robertson, Josie Hudson, Betty Christman and Velma Phipps as well as 6 nieces and nephews.
You ae invited to view her video tribute, light a virtual candle of remembrance and send a message of condolence to Frieda’s family via the funeral home website: www.jewellrittman.com






I was married to Cheryl (Dickey) Dieckmann for 27 years until she passed in 2016. During that entire time, Freida and Harold, until he passed, were neighbors to my in-laws, Jim and Sharon Dickey. Freida doted over my children (and my dogs, for that matter). Every time I talked to Freida, I knew I should listen carefully because of the wisdom I sensed in her voice. I treasure those days of sitting in my in-law’s back yard and having Freida come over and talk for a bit. The world is a little less wise for having lost her. I am praying for her family.
An external video has been added.