Ernest Clifton Crawley aka “Kip”, at the grand age of 90 years old transitioned peacefully at McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia on February 24, 2026. He was surrounded in prayer by his beloved nephew Irving Paige, Sr.
Kip was born on December 26, 1935, in Charles City County, Virginia and was the baby boy to the late Willie & Gladys Crawley. He was preceded in death by the love of his life of 62 years, Lois Charity; his siblings, Willie Mae, Pearl, Mack, Ben, Goldie and Vernon.
At an early age, Kip accepted The Lord at Gilfield Baptist Church. He was educated in the Charles City County School System and received his GED in the U.S. Army, where he served as a PFC during the Korean War. Although he worked several different jobs, he truly learned the art of cabinetry when working for Richardson Cabinet Shop in New Kent County, where he worked until he retired. He absolutely loved fishing, gospel music especially anything Jimmy Swaggart, working in his garden during his spare time, and talking to friends on the phone. He was a long-standing member of the American Legion Post 61 and earned the title as their Top Gun Recruiter.
Along with his many jobs, he also went by many names. He was known to many as Kip, Coaster, Top Gun, Poppa Kip, Mr. Kip, Uncle Kip and probably other names that wouldn’t be appropriate to mention here. When passing by, you would often see him scootin’ along on his red scooter visiting whoever he could.
He even at one point, started loading his scooter on the back of his truck so he could get around. Once he learned how to work his cell phone, he’d always have gospel music playing on YouTube. He was even, probably, the only person from Charles City that you could see cutting his grass if you ever searched for his home address on Google Earth.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving daughter at heart, Zona Miles; three grandchildren at heart, Clyde (Nichelle), Craig (Micheala), and Kristen (Alphonso); nine great-grandchildren at heart, and ten great-great grandchildren at heart; his nephews, Irving, Sr. (Bettie), Pike (Vickie), Walter, Butch (Carolyn), and Alan (Sandra); nieces, Brenda (James), Dora (Steve), Samantha ,and Kim. He was incredibly loved and also leaves behind many devoted friends and relatives that took the time to either visit, chat on the phone and often brought him food.
A funeral service will be held 2PM Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Vincent Funeral Home 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140. Interment to follow in the Gilfield Baptist Church Cemetery. Repast will follow interment in the church fellowship.
