Willie Crawford Obituary (1922 – 2022) – Newark, NJ – The Star-Ledger – The Star-Ledger Obituaries

Active in Church, Political & Community Organizations in Newark Willie Mae Crawford was born on December 25, 1922 in Albany, Georgia to the late Silas Bower and Mittie Garrett. On July 4, 2022, our beloved peacefully transitioned from labor to reward as the Master called. While she was raised by her late maternal grandparents, Mose and Amanda Garrett; Willie received her formal education from the Georgia Public School System. At the tender age of 8, Willie Mae began her Christian walk at the Christ C.M.E. Methodist Church in Newton, GA where she served diligently as a member of the choir, missionary, and usher boards. In December of 1939, she was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Ulysses Crawford and lived in Philadelphia, PA before relocating to Newark, NJ where she resided for the past 47 years. While living in Newark, Willie Mae joined Bethany Baptist Church and then Metropolitan Baptist Church, where she has been a member for over 50 years. Mrs. Crawford was employed as a seamstress, which was her God given gift; and a hairdresser, under the tutelage of her mentors, Eula Foster and the late Leah Lumpkins. Willie Mae’s services, memberships and accomplishments stretched beyond measures within her life’s journey, including the National Council of Negro Women (1963); NAACP; B.F. Johnson Willing Workers; Martha Chapter No. 6 Eastern Stars (since 1973). In 1958, the Central Ward Unit Boys & Girls Club; Mother’s Club; Vice President Committee of 100; 1972 Ebony Fashion Fair Chairperson. She was a cofounder of the St. Mary’s Villa Tenant Association (1982). Mrs. Crawford performed volunteer work for Councilman Ronald Rice Civic Association and served on the Planning Board, Black Issues Convention, and the Councilwoman Mamie Bridgeport Stern Committee. She worked in the Election Polls for the City of Newark. In 2000, Willie Mae was appointed to Mayor Sharpe James’ Senior Citizen’s Commission and in 2008, Mayor Cory Booker’s Senior Citizen’s Commission while serving as the Special Deputy with the Essex County’s Sheriff’s Department. Willie Mae was preceded in death by her children, Lucius Childs and Vernice Crawford; great-grandchild, Wesley Childs; and sister, Anna Mae Lewis. Those left to cherish the loving and fond memories of Willie Mae are her loving and caring daughters, Deloris Dawson, Jacqueline Robinson, LeVerne Childs-Dudley (Wm Bernard), Ernestine Childs, and Annie Crawford; 12 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great grandchildren. She was a mom and grandma to countless extended family and friends. All are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 8:30-9:30a from the Good Neighbor Baptist Church 100 Chancellor Avenue, Newark NJ. Celebration of Life Service to follow. Interment Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside NJ. Arrangements Entrusted to Charles A. West Funeral & Cremation Service, Bayonne. West Funeral & Cremation Services 34 E 25th St Bayonne, NJ 07002 (201) 455-8228

Published by The Star-Ledger from Jul. 13 to Jul. 15, 2022.