Ella Mae Crawford's Obituary
Ella Mae Crawford, of Tacoma, WA passed away peacefully on July 28, 2013 after experiencing a debilitating illness. She was born Ella Mae Rainey on September 8, 1931 in Coffeyville, Kansas to Willetta Cartwright and Robert Rainey. Ella moved to Tacoma as a teenager, where she attended Lincoln High School. Upon graduation in 1949 she was awarded a music scholarship to the University of Puget Sound for her beautiful singing voice.
She met and married Willie Earl Crawford Sr. and had two children Willie Earl Jr. and Leo.
An extremely intelligent woman, Ella Mae always had an interest in educating herself and others. She believed in helping people and held several positions in the Tacoma community doing so. She worked for the Tacoma Public Housing Authority and later became the first African American woman to be hired by the City of Tacoma. She also worked for Bates Technical School for 28 years until she retired where she served and guided students.
Ella Mae devoted herself to making the Tacoma Community a better place to live. She served as a leader with E.B. Wilson Civic Club, Tacoma Housing Authority, Tacoma/Pierce County Black Collective, NAACP, Tacoma Urban League, United Way and Altrusa Club of Tacoma. Ella Mae was also the recipient of Tacoma Urban League’s 1995 Distinguished Citizen Award and in 1998 the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Directors Award among many others.
Working for civil rights for African American people was extremely important to Ella Mae. Her work with several community organizations like the NAACP, Urban League and The Black Collective was something she was very proud of. She was a highly revered resource to all people, and was always available with support and advice.
Various civic and political duties were also important to Ella Mae, who was a proud supporter of several local and state politicians. Ella proudly served on the Tacoma Public Utilities Board from 1979-1984 and from 1983-1984 proudly served as chairman of the Tacoma Public Utilities Board. She was appointed to serve on the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees in 1993. She served for five years including serving as President of the Board of Trustees in 1995.
She was preceded in death by her husband Willie Earl Sr., her sister Bobbie Lovelace, her mother and father and loving son Leo.
Her tender memory will not be forgotten by her son Willie Crawford Jr. and his wife Donna; her grandchildren Deitra, Willie Earl III (Christina) and Jason (Tara); Brother in Law Walter Lovelace, The Bennett family, three Great Grandchildren, and many loyal and kind friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Elizabeth Wesley Scholarship Foundation. Services are to be held 11:00AM, Thursday, August 1, 2013, at Bethlehem Baptist Church of Tacoma, Washington, 4818 East Portland Ave. A private graveside will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park of Lakewood, WA.
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