Hard Work Brings Rewards

AugustaChronicle.com:

If you can name it, Dee Crawford has probably done it.

Farming, boating, riding on motorcycles, traveling overseas to Africa, mother of two physicians and an epidemiologist — she’s not easily intimidated.

Add McDonald’s owner-operator to the list. For 21 years, she has led five McDonald’s stores in the Augusta-Aiken area.

In many ways, she’s a modern-day pioneer.

“She can do just about anything. Or, if she doesn’t know how to do something, she makes sure that she learns how to do it,” said Jane Martin, her best friend since college. “She tackles things the ordinary person probably wouldn’t. That seems to make her happy.”

The 65-year-old has turned over day-to-day operations to her daughter, Christine, but remains the mastermind.

In 1985, Dee entered the McDonald’s training program. Since then, she’s accumulated five restaurants and leads 250 employees — all while raising three children, being a devoted wife and serving her community.

“She’s a super wife. A very caring person,” said husband Dr. George Crawford, a dentist. “Whatever she does, she gives it 100 percent.”