Linda Gay (Ritchie) Crawford ODESSA, TX Linda Gay Crawford, age 80, of Odessa, TX, passed away at home surrounded by her family on September 9, 2026. Linda Gay was born in Fort Worth, TX, to Wanda Coats Ritchie and Lee Ritchie on September 18, 1945. Her dad called her Linda, while her mom called her Stink or Stinkum! She attended Odessa High School, where friends knew her as Gay Gay. She married her high school sweetheart, Gene Crawford, on July 16, 1966, in Odessa, and they spent 60 wonderful years together, recently celebrating their 60th anniversary. Gay and Gene attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX together. After graduating from Tarleton, they returned home to Odessa, where they built their life and raised their family. Gay's faith was important to her and she was a long time member of Central Baptist Church and had more recently attended Chapel Hill Baptist Church where she enjoyed her ladies bible study. As a young mother, she was involved in the Odessa Mother's Club before beginning a teaching career with ECISD that spanned more than 20 years. She touched the lives of many young people in Odessa during her years at Goldsmith Elementary, Pease Elementary, and Cavazos Elementary. After retiring, when she wasn't visiting or traveling to see her children and grandchildren, Gay and Gene enjoyed being part of the Permian Basin Oil Burners Old Car Club. Gay also spent her time volunteering in the auxiliary at Medical Center Hospital and at the Wagner Noel Center for Performing Arts. She especially enjoyed delivering meals for Meals on Wheels alongside some of her very dear friends. Gay was the most positive and optimistic person you could ever know. She had a beautiful, contagious smile that she wore every day, no matter her circumstances. She couldn't help but see the good in every situation and every person. Gay was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great - grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. She was fiercely loyal, kind, and loving. Her life was a true testimony of a life well lived and we have no doubt she was greeted in heaven by her savior with the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant". Gay is preceded in death by her parents, Wanda and Lee Ritchie, and brother, Larry Ritchie. Gay is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Gene Crawford; her children, Carolyn Crawford Sykes and husband Wes of San Angelo, TX, and Gina Crawford Hovis and husband David of Knoxville, TN; the people who were lucky enough to call her Grandma, Hunter Sykes and wife Hayley, with children Finnley and Fisher of Odessa, TX, Cole Sykes and wife Jensen, with daughter Sutton of Seguin, TX, London Hovis of Atlanta, GA, Crawford Hovis of New York, NY, and Winston Hovis of Auburn, AL. She is also survived by her nephew Race Ritchie and wife Shawna with children Kenna and Rynden, and other family members, nieces, nephews, and life long family friends that she loved dearly. Funeral services were held on September 11, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, with Reverend Aubrey Jones of Chapel Hill Baptist Church officiating. Memorials may be given to Home Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.The family of Linda Gay Crawford wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Maxine and Eunice for the loving care they provided to our mom, Gay.