Willie Albert Crawford

Our daddy, Willie Albert “Bay Bay” Crawford was born into time on June 21, 1945, in Manning, Arkansas to the union of Kelley, Sr. and Alice Dailey Crawford. He accepted Christ at a tender age and was a 1963 graduate of Bradley County High School in Warren, Arkansas. During his lifetime he worked various jobs and was a former employee of Century Products in Sheridan, Arkansas. He was nick-named “Bay Bay” by his family and friends. When his health began to fail he moved to Arkadelphia to be closer to the family. He had a broad smile, pleasant demeanor and never met a stranger. He was a rare and colorful character, a true-one of a kind person who’s passing will long be felt but, whose memory will forever be remembered On Sunday, October 19, 2008, in his 63rd season, daddy answered the call that no man can refuse and was born into eternity. He was welcomed home by our grandfather, Kelley Crawford, Sr., our uncle Kelley Crawford, Jr., and a very special niece and nephew, Shelia & Kikendall (KJ) Banks. He leaves in God‘s care: His beloved mother, Alice Dailey Crawford of Warren, AR; two sons, Kelvin Crawford of Arkadelphia, AR, and Cornelius Harrison of Mankato, MN; six daughters, Chandra Crawford of Gardenia, CA, Ursula Crawford of Arkadelphia, AR, Stefanie Crawford of Arkadelphia, AR, Felicia & her husband Terry Slay of Arkadelphia, AR, Loma & her husband Brandon Martin of Conway, AR, and Tracy & her husband Derrick Belcher of Carthage, AR. He also leaves eight children whom he had a special relationship with: Tameka Smith of Malvern, AR, Derrick Johnson of Little Rock, AR, LaTisha Johnson of Conway, AR, Troy Coleman, Bill Coleman, Jeffery Coleman, Ronald Coleman and Michael Coleman all of Fordyce, AR; four beautiful sisters, Patsy Bates of Carthage, AR, Edna Crawford of Milwaukee, WI, Alice M. Jackson of Houston, TX, and Sue Crawford of Wilmar, AR; three handsome brothers, Louis Broomfield of Hot Springs, AR, Alvin Crawford of Warren, AR, and Donald Crawford of Warren, A; sixteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, TaKylia Crawford; nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. He also leaves his aunts; Magirtha Owens of Sparkman (Harmony Community), AR, Salley Burks of Princeton, AR, and Margaret Temple of Little rock, AR; one uncle, George Dailey of Kansas City, MO; and one great-uncle Jessie Dailey of Laurel Land, TX. Willie will lie in state at the funeral home on Friday, October 24, 2008, from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. The family will greet and share with friends the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Final tributes and the last farewell to the life of Willie Albert Crawford will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Princeton, Arkansas. Rev. J. C. Owens will officiate and preach a message of hope. The committal service and final resting place will be in Henderson Cemetery in Princeton, Arkansas. The bearers of the casket will be Renski Davis-Buckley, Dale Banks, Wayne Crawford, Troy Coleman, Eric Davis, Stanley Banks, Alfred Crawford and Thurman Lea. The honorary bearers of the casket will be Kelvin Crawford, Derrick Johnson, Louis Broomfield, Alvin Crawford, Cornelius Harrison, and Donald Crawford. The family would like to especially thank the nursing staff of Golden Living Health & Rehabilitation Center, Hospice Care and a special thanks to Mrs. Donna Goff.