Mrs. Esther Davis Crawford

Esther Davis Crawford was born December 5, 1928, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She was born the daughter of the late Aaron Davis and Josephine Dickens.

The young Esther Davis was raised with a strong work ethic in the Catholic Church and school. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Rocky Mount, NC. She had a passion and gift for teaching that would lead her to enroll at Winston-Salem Teachers College (now Winston-Salem State University). As a co-ed, she was a member of the first pledge line at the College for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was proud to be a Winston Salem Ram and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education.

Esther accepted one of her first teaching positions at Maggie Califf High School in Gray, Georgia under a young principal, Benjamin Franklin Crawford. Although not “love at first sight,” Benjamin F. Crawford would become the love of Esther’s life, and they were married for 57 years until his death in December 2009.

Esther and Benjamin had two children. Dr. Kermit Anthony Crawford (Framingham, MA) and Dr. Stephanie Y. Crawford (Chicago, IL). Esther and her young family eventually moved to Snow Hill, NC in 1966, where she taught fifth-grade Language Arts at West Greene Elementary School until her retirement, which ended a 38-year teaching career. Soon after in 1990, Benjamin and Esther moved to Valdosta, GA. For both, this would become their beloved hometown and final resting place. She found happiness in the fellowship of the community and loved her church, First Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a Deaconess.

Esther leaves behind to cherish her memory a son Kermit (Dr. Barbara Nobles Crawford); a daughter, Stephanie; two grandsons, Nobles Crawford (Monika) of New York City and Benjamin Leroy Crawford (Framingham, MA); two special nieces Candice Smith (Gordan) of Chesapeake, VA and Natalie Luce (Brian) of Virginia Beach, VA; first cousin, Ms. Mattie Miller of Valdosta and a host of nieces, great nieces, great nephews, other beloved cousins, family members, and many very special friends.

On the early morning of Friday, July 25, 2014, Esther came full circle on her Christian journey. She was preceded in death by her adored husband, parents, and sister (Nancy Davis). Today she will be laid in her final resting place beside the love of her life, Benjamin, awaiting the call to rise again in Glory.

The Celebration of Life for the late Mrs. Esther Davis Crawford will be held Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 2:00pm from the sanctuary of First Antioch Baptist Church.

Rev. Albert Lee Barfield is the pastor and will officiate.

Interment will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens.