FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Longtime Fort Valley city councilman and Fort Valley Utility Commissioner Marvin Crafter died in his home on Thursday afternoon, according to Peach County coroner Kerry Rooks.
Rooks says at this time, they believe it was "heart-related."
Crafter was 71 years old.
"He was a long time advocate for the rights of the people of Fort Valley as I said earlier and very passionate about his hometown," says Fort Valley Mayor Barbara Williams before the Thursday city council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Jimmy Barnes adds, "I've known Marvin for a long time and it really sorries my soul but we'd go at each other and still come out shaking hands at the end. That's what it's all about."
For Fort Valley city council, Marvin Crafter was a passionate leader and advocate.
To his family, he was a giant in every sense of the word.
"He was mammoth and gothic to me growing up," says son Michael Edwards.
Edwards, lives in Richmond, Virginia, but he says he saw his father last week, just days before his 71st birthday.
"It makes you think that it was divinely designed that way that I was able to see him in that manner, hug on him and love on him and joke with him," he says.
Sherita Jones, Crafter's niece, says she and a small group of family members cooked dinner for him, and got to spend what would be his last birthday, with him.
"He spoke words of appreciation and we prayed with him. He told me that of the 71 years he's been living, that was the very first birthday party or dinner that had been given to him," she says.
Jones and Edwards say they're most proud of what Crafter accomplished both in council chambers and at home.
"I called my brothers today and told them, 'Hey, if we don't live the way that he raised us, that's the disgrace to his honor,' so we'll honor him and be happy with the homecoming," he says.
Mayor Williams says flags across the city will be raised at half-staff for the remainder of the week.
Other county and city leaders left their condolences in written messages.
"This is a tremendous loss to our community, and I'm very sad. I've never known, nor can I imagine, Fort Valley without the passionate voice of Marvin Crafter. I'm going to miss him very much." - Peach County Commissioner Shanita Bryant
"I am deeply saddened by the sudden death of my dear friend Mr. Marvin Crafter. We have lost a true soldier for social justice here in the Fort Valley community. I pray that God gives his family strength during this time of bereavement. Dr. King said it best, 'Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.'" - Fort Valley councilman Lemario Brown