Jennifer Leigh Crawford

Born 01/01/55; Died 08/07/21

Jennifer Leigh Crawford was a force of nature. Strong and independent yet loved by so many. We are thankful for her presence. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Ben (2008) and Mary Jo (2015) Crawford. Surviving her are her fiancé, Carlos Austin Arrindell (“My Carlos”), who cared for her until the end, sisters, Leslie Crawford Echave and Wendy Lynne Longmire (Jay), nephews, Logan Wade Echave, Evan Emilio Echave, Wade Alexander Longmire (Natalie), and niece, Madison Leigh Fisher (Cody); great nephews, Crawford Thomas Fisher, Jacob Wade Fisher, Phillip Lyon Longmire, and his brother – soon to be born. She leaves one Aunt (Bettye Crawford), many wonderful cousins and a battalion of dear friends who loved her in sickness and in health.

Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Jennifer Leigh was a graduate of the University of Georgia and a loyal supporter of the Dawgs’ football program. Upon graduation, she began her career in sales and marketing in Lexington before embarking on an adventure that took her to NOLA, where she worked in hotel marketing in the French Quarter. From there, it was off to Sacramento, California, where she pursed marketing, returning to Lexington in the 80s to open and operate a family restaurant Le Papillon, where she honed her cooking talents. She began her career in advertising at MER in Lexington. In the late 80s, Jennifer Leigh moved to Nashville, working at Buntin Advertising and spending time with her sister Wendy and family and sowing many forever friendships. In 1994, she heard the “call of the sea” and moved to Tampa, Florida, where she ultimately settled on the intercoastal. Here, she lived out her life working with advertising firms, Jay Advertising, FKQ, McKay Advertising and The Rhoads Group. She formed her own media company, Waterside Media – which bore her motto, “If you’re lucky enough to live on the water, you’re lucky enough.”

In her eclectic home on the water, she was blessed by a bounty of friends and spent meaningful time with her parents and sister Leslie and family. She was a devoted sports fan to her Lightning, Bucs and Rays. In the later years, Jennifer Leigh and Carlos spent the days gazing at the water, savoring dolphin sprays, homecooked meals, the company of good friends and celebrating her teams’ World Championships.

She was a masterful chef and shared those talents with friends and family. Her culinary skills were legendary. Even as a teenager, she won a red ribbon for her Pecan Pie in the Kentucky State Fair. Her seamstress skills also earned her a ribbon on her first quilt.

Carpe Diem could certainly be ascribed to her zest for life. Her signature “Love you mean it,” sign off captures her genuine warmth for all of us lucky recipients.

To our Jennifer Leigh, Jen Leigh, Jen, Woman, Big Sister, Aunt E, Aunt Jen, we say, Godspeed and “Honey hush, LYMI.”

A celebration of life will be safely scheduled and will be announced on Facebook and The Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home website.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to “American Cancer Society/Brain Cancer Donation

”https://donate3.cancer.org/

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121.