Joseph Vanryan Crawford, affectionately known as “Joe”; was born August 29, 1937,
to the late Johnnie Lee and Mary Lou Ford-Crawford in Louisville (Blue Springs),
Alabama. Joe was the seventh of nine children. He spent the first 10 years of life in
Alabama and then his family moved to Florida in 1948, where he would make his,
“forever” home. Joe was educated through the Gadsden County Public Schools
system in Quincy, Florida. He joined the Selective Services and enlisted in the Army
in October of 1960. Shortly thereafter, he was honorably discharged in October of
1962.

Joe was united in Holy Matrimony on December 5, 1996 to Debra Jean Burgess-
Crawford. For the past 25 years they have enjoyed the many adventures and

excitement of marriage, love, and the Lord. Though no children bore from this
marriage, the union of families that was created was far greater. Joe worked in many
capacities throughout his life. His most noted was from his younger years, where he
worked as an assistant at Harrell’s Bait and Tackle. This is the career that instilled the
entrepreneurship that Joe would take into adulthood and make a grand living from.
Though he wasn’t educated by a university or fancy college, Joe was still
knowledgeable on how to run a successful business. He didn’t have the “common” or
everyday job; yet, he still provided for those closest to him without strain. Joe was a
very successful entrepreneur and great business partner to many of the small business
owners in Gadsden County. His partnerships providing long-standing relationships
and friendships with these business owners, as they knew it was a great thing to have
Joe as a partner.

Though Joe was widely known throughout the “streets” in his spiffier and more suave
days (he used to dress up just for a quick store run); he found time to join the church
and confess his sins and recommit his life to God. He joined Glory Apostolic Faith
Temple in January of 2015, where the pastor is Elder Woodrow Hinson.
Joe peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord on June 17, 2022, surrounded by loved
ones at his residence in Quincy.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his son Antonio “Tony” Crawford Sr,
BROTHERS: Eldogie, James, and Moses Crawford; and SISTERS: Willie Lee
Dudley, Eva Lou Jackson, and Johnnie Mae Hawkins.

He leaves to cherish the fond memories and loving moments his WIFE: Debra Jean
Burgess-Crawford of 25 years; DAUGHTERS: Sha’Kia Betsey-Johnson (Alvin
“Jay”) of Tallahassee FL, Linda “Hope” Daniels (Robert) of Bainbridge, GA; SON:
Dennis Lamar Crawford of Atlanta, GA; SISTER: Margaret Williams of Tallahassee,
FL; SISTER-IN-LAWS: Carolyn Richardson, Martha Burgess-Denson and Glynndell
Sweet (all of Quincy, FL); a SPECIAL NIECE: Tracee Davis of Brooklyn, NY; his
FAVORITE NEPHEW: James “Hill-Billy” Crawford of Orlando, FL; 9
GRANDCHIDREN; 16 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN; and a host of loving nieces,
nephews, cousins, and friends.

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