Tahmi Jean (Surber) Crawford

Tahmi Jean (Surber) Crawford

One of the most graceful storms and abrupt forms anyone ever did meet, Tahmi Crawford of Wichita, KS took her last breath with us on May 13 of this good year of our Lord 2023. She learned 5 months prior of the ovarian cancer that had already grown to stage four. She dealt with her journey that cancer took her on in the same victorious way she had navigated every other season of her life, her own way and on her own terms.  Her last months were spent traveling and visiting her beloved ones, constantly surrounded by their love. They spent that time together, enjoying her most animated laughter, high spirited sense of humor, and taking in a lil more of her sincere advisements from her wisdom which she felt most blessed to be able to bestow open her following generations of Lovelies, whenever given the opportunity. 

Tahmi had an amazingly interesting childhood, set in places such as Hawaii and the West Coast shorelines. Her mom was an elegant, acutely spoken woman. Her maiden name was Vineta Lucille Green. (Deceased). She put her best efforts into being a stay at home mom of Tahmi and her four siblings. The oldest being Rilla L. Surber, who left us to join her family in 2012. (Who brought “Aunt” to Tahmi in having Vineta). The next oldest being Otha Surber of Butte, Mt. The third rascal to be added to the bunch was Curtis M. Surber II, Tahmi’s rock in this precarious World. (Christopher who is a father to many and Jennifer is mom of 3). Tahmi was the fourth in line of this rambunctious group of irrepressibly energized youngins, on the nineteenth day of November, in the year of our good Lord 1957. Next born was the fifth and final precious child to be added to the Surber household, the one to become Tahmi’s closest and most trusted friend, her baby sister, Nora Allison Surber. (Misty who is mother to Kimberlee and Kassie and Sampson who is dad to Sampson, Aurora and Ivy) Sadly, Nora passed in a vehicle accident in 2011.  Tahmi’s dad, Curtis Manford Surber (Deceased) had many intriguing ways of putting supper on the table for his family. Besides his time in high rankings in the military he also served in several capacities for our gov’t entities, some jobs more dangerous than others. The family also holds magazines which have articles in them telling of some of his many inventions. One that is common place nowadays is the inner workings of the ATM. He was inspired to design a portable machine that would give a different tone for the different bills inserted into it, so blind people could confirm which bill amount they were exchanging with cashiers. Vineta & Curtis did make a most interesting and exciting childhood for their explorative little brood. 

Tahmi came up and built quite a loving family of her own with her ex-husband. She helped to create and grew up their three magnificently supportive and devoted children. Their first born is James Ralph Crawford III, a rather strapping young man who is married to Misty and has four adult children left behind in love by their Grandma, James, Sierra, Mia and Caleb (who has given Tahmi her most recent Great Grandchild. Sierra gave her her first, and second and third Great Grandbabies). Their next born is Lee Shannon Crawford, quite the debonair man who is married to Kim and also has four adult children left behind in love by  their Grandma, Ashley, Jesse, Eric and Chloe (Jesse added to her blessed tile of Great Grandma to her two times over). Their third born is Trina Tahmi Jean Crawford, an increasingly confident woman who has, along with her partner Jon, helped to create and is still building six children who proudly call Tahmi GG that she leaves behind in love, Katelyn, Emily, Rusty, Harvey, Jon and Calamity. Every person in Tahmi’s family held a very special place in her heart. She was not the best at knowing how to show it or express it clearly, but she often expressed how much she cherished each and every one of them. Tahmi had many nurturing and wonderful friendships along the way as well. She was loved and she will be deeply missed by many.  

Tahmi had many accomplishments in her life also, such as completing her associates Degree and was about to finish up nursing school when her MS derailed that plan. She drove OTR 18 wheeler. The job choice she loved the most though was being a teacher. One of the last things she said was, “Some days you won’t find the song in your heart. Sing anyways.”

Tahmi is preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Venita Surber; sisters, Rilla Surber, Nora Surber. She is survived by her children, James (Misty) Crawford III of Wichita, Lee (Kim) Crawford of Haysville, Trina (Jon Wilson) Crawford of Pittsburg, MO; brothers, Otha Surber, Curtis Surfer Jr. both of Butte, MT; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren.

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