Kandy Kay Crawford, 72, of rural Columbia City, died unexpectedly at 3:01 a.m. Friday, August 20, 2021, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

On May 2, 1949, she was born at Luckey Hospital, Wolf Lake, Indiana, a daughter of the late Paul and Waneta (Hyndman) Snepp. Growing up in Columbia City, she graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1967.

On December 6, 1969, she married Gene L. Crawford. They have always made their home in rural Columbia City.

A full-time homemaker raising the couple's four children, she later served as a substitute teacher for the Columbia Township School and a seasonal worker at the local Kroger store.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed gardening, growing both flowers that adorned her home and vegetables. She is remembered as a great cook preparing delicious meals for her family. Using the flowers that she grew, she would fashion them into wreaths and give them as gifts. Using her floral skills, she made corsages for her granddaughters' proms and formals.

Surviving is her husband of 51 years, Gene; children, Brandon (Peggy Johnson) Crawford of Columbia City, Wade (Cara) Crawford of South Whitley, Chad Crawford of Roanoke and Abbey Atkinson of Columbia City; six grandchildren; her beloved Shelties – Brea & Tessa; a brother Kris (Joe) Snepp of Fort Wayne and a sister Trisha (William) Benzing of Columbia City.

The funeral service is 3 p.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation is 1 p.m. until the service Tuesday at the funeral home.