Crawford retires from Dunklin County Health

Becky Crawford retired from the Dunklin County Health Department on Monday, Sept. 30, following a decades long career with the organization.

Crawford recently reflected on her time at the health department and the impact it had on her life.

“When I was 18, I walked into my mom’s house, and I was frustrated,” said Crawford. “I had just graduated high school and I needed a job and I also needed health insurance.”

Crawford continued, “My mom’s friend, Ruth Ann Crawford, was there and called her husband, Don, who was the Health Deartment Administrator at that time.”

“He had me come in and hired me in the WIC department,” she added. “I worked in the WIC department in the beginning.”

“I would sit and write hundreds of vouchers a week to the clients,” shared Crawford. “After that, I moved over to being the front desk receptionist.”

Crawford stated, “I then went back to WIC due to an opening that needed to be filled. I had an amazing group of girls there.”

“We would even do bible studies together,” provided Crawford. “They then realized they needed me back over at the health department and I’ve been here ever since.”

Crawford has also served as a car-seat technician.

“I’ve put in thousands of car-seats and checked car-seats in the community for the last 30 years,” she said.

Crawford shared, “I know with all my heart that this was my mission field. To just show God’s love and grace.”

“I am far from perfect,” she said. “I’m a Christian. I love the Lord so much. I realize that every person that walks through these doors is someone’s mother, father, son, grandparent, and how would I want my family treated?”

After years with the department, Crawford took ill and had to leave the job she had grown to love.

“I got sick,” she said. “I got bit by a tick in 2017, and it did terrible things to me. In 2020, Lisa Johnson hired me back.”

Crawford shared on her feelings for the health department.

“This place has been amazing to me,” she stated. “My faith is also very important to me. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had a lot of loss, and its taken a toll on me.”

“I don’t know how people do it without their faith,” Crawford added.

“This place will always be a part of me,” informed Crawford. “I’m so thankful I’ve had the opportunity to be here all these years.”

Crawford continued, “I loved working with the public. Some of them needed to know that they’re important, and that they matter.”

Crawford will take on the role as Administrative Assistant at the Kennett Chamber of Commerce following her retirement from the health department.

She wants to be able to spend time with her teenaged daughter and a part-time job will allow that.

“I always want to be available to her,” Crawford said. “She’s my absolute priority in life.”

To conclude her thoughts on her career with the health department Crawford stated, “It was the perfect job for me. At the end of the day I felt like God had a plan for me. He opened doors for me and I’m so grateful.”

“It’s been a great career,” she said. “It’s a family. It’s a home.”