Obituary for Cynthia Ann Crawford (Jones)
Cynthia Ann Crawford was born on November 6,1948 to Lillian Alberta Collins and William Ferguson in her home on Missouri Ave in East St. Louis, Illinois. She was the youngest of five children and a proud mother of two daughters. She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Ora Mae Harper and Sharon Johnson, two brothers Frederick Dew and Carroll Jones, nephews George and Charles Harper, nieces Camilla Dew and Jessica Harper, extended sister, Lois A. Harper and second Mother Minnie L. Burt.
Cynthia was born, reared and educated in East St. Louis, Illinois, She attended Monroe Elementary, Hughes-Quinn Junior High School; Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois; and graduated from Madison High School, Madison, IL in May 1966. She later enrolled into Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Cynthia was employed for the St. Louis Public School System and retired in 2014. She was an In-School Suspension Monitor at the Shenandoah Elementary School and also served as an Special Education Instructional Care Aide at Beaumont High School, a Parent Resource Specialist and Former Teacher.
Cynthia was a member of St. Louis Teachers and School Related Personnel-AFT-St. Louis Local 420. She received numerous awards. She was recognized for her volunteer services from the Madison County Urban League for 25 years of volunteer service; Illinois State Police for Police Youth Camp; and received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Distinguished Service Award from the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity East St. Louis.
As a member of Metro-East Toastmasters #2878, she won numerous awards for her participation in various speech competitions.
Cynthia was a faithful member and participant of several congregations; including Mt. Nebo M.B.C. (Madison, IL), Wayman AME Church (St. Louis, MO) New Calvary Baptist Church (Norfolk, VA) and New Horizon Church under the leadership of Rev. Ranodore Foggs. She was a lover of Bible Study and the daily prayer line. She was known for her active participation of several Sunday School classes and was a member of the Seniors Aging Gracefully Social Group in Norfolk VA.
Cynthia was joyous and enthusiastic about life; sizzling with zeal and determination to make a positive difference in the lives of many. She was affectionately known by her grandchildren and others as “Sha Sha” (Swahili for Grandmother) and will be forever remembered for her love of celebrating Kwaanza, playing cards, music, word games, reciting poetry, reading ANY type of literature.
She is known for her love of food, attending the St. Louis Muny, Art and History Museums, parades, annual St. Louis/East St. Louis Dr. Martin Luther King Celebrations and many other cultural events. “Wherever and whenever something positive was going on, you will find Cynthia Crawford.”
Cynthia received her wings to go and be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday December 14, 2022,at Sentara Leigh Hospital.
Cynthia leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Stacey Armstrong (dearly loved son in law Eric A. Armstrong, Sr.) of Norfolk, Virginia, and Mildred (Rachelle) Crawford of Belleville, IL.; beloved grandchildren, Erica, Khalia and Eric (E.J.) Antonio Armstrong Jr.; great-grandchildren Kingston and Kobey; beloved niece, Beverly Harper; cousin Larry Harris; God Daughters Kimberly (Patrice) Williams, Charlette (Jane) Williams, Sharon (Keith) Fentress and Godsons Derek Christopher, Trevon, Ronzell Williams and Timothy Smith; extended sisters, Cossandra Tucker, Romilda Burt, Annette Jarvis; extended brothers Tyrone and Ronald Burt; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family (Armstrong Family) and friends. Special lifelong friends Candice Clayton, Mary Spencer, Vera Browley, Reginald Riddle-Young and Cynthia Hampton.
A Special Message
Habari Gani!
This is Cynthia Crawford. I wanted to take a moment and let you all know how much you were appreciated. All of you were a true angel to me and I was more grateful to you than words can express. I thank you for your kindness and for being the wonderful, amazing people you were to me. I know I was blessed to have you all in my life. Until we meet again.
Hotep that means Peace
As per her request do not send live flowers but you can send plants to the family or donations.
Cynthia was born, reared and educated in East St. Louis, Illinois, She attended Monroe Elementary, Hughes-Quinn Junior High School; Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois; and graduated from Madison High School, Madison, IL in May 1966. She later enrolled into Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Cynthia was employed for the St. Louis Public School System and retired in 2014. She was an In-School Suspension Monitor at the Shenandoah Elementary School and also served as an Special Education Instructional Care Aide at Beaumont High School, a Parent Resource Specialist and Former Teacher.
Cynthia was a member of St. Louis Teachers and School Related Personnel-AFT-St. Louis Local 420. She received numerous awards. She was recognized for her volunteer services from the Madison County Urban League for 25 years of volunteer service; Illinois State Police for Police Youth Camp; and received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Distinguished Service Award from the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity East St. Louis.
As a member of Metro-East Toastmasters #2878, she won numerous awards for her participation in various speech competitions.
Cynthia was a faithful member and participant of several congregations; including Mt. Nebo M.B.C. (Madison, IL), Wayman AME Church (St. Louis, MO) New Calvary Baptist Church (Norfolk, VA) and New Horizon Church under the leadership of Rev. Ranodore Foggs. She was a lover of Bible Study and the daily prayer line. She was known for her active participation of several Sunday School classes and was a member of the Seniors Aging Gracefully Social Group in Norfolk VA.
Cynthia was joyous and enthusiastic about life; sizzling with zeal and determination to make a positive difference in the lives of many. She was affectionately known by her grandchildren and others as “Sha Sha” (Swahili for Grandmother) and will be forever remembered for her love of celebrating Kwaanza, playing cards, music, word games, reciting poetry, reading ANY type of literature.
She is known for her love of food, attending the St. Louis Muny, Art and History Museums, parades, annual St. Louis/East St. Louis Dr. Martin Luther King Celebrations and many other cultural events. “Wherever and whenever something positive was going on, you will find Cynthia Crawford.”
Cynthia received her wings to go and be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday December 14, 2022,at Sentara Leigh Hospital.
Cynthia leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Stacey Armstrong (dearly loved son in law Eric A. Armstrong, Sr.) of Norfolk, Virginia, and Mildred (Rachelle) Crawford of Belleville, IL.; beloved grandchildren, Erica, Khalia and Eric (E.J.) Antonio Armstrong Jr.; great-grandchildren Kingston and Kobey; beloved niece, Beverly Harper; cousin Larry Harris; God Daughters Kimberly (Patrice) Williams, Charlette (Jane) Williams, Sharon (Keith) Fentress and Godsons Derek Christopher, Trevon, Ronzell Williams and Timothy Smith; extended sisters, Cossandra Tucker, Romilda Burt, Annette Jarvis; extended brothers Tyrone and Ronald Burt; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family (Armstrong Family) and friends. Special lifelong friends Candice Clayton, Mary Spencer, Vera Browley, Reginald Riddle-Young and Cynthia Hampton.
A Special Message
Habari Gani!
This is Cynthia Crawford. I wanted to take a moment and let you all know how much you were appreciated. All of you were a true angel to me and I was more grateful to you than words can express. I thank you for your kindness and for being the wonderful, amazing people you were to me. I know I was blessed to have you all in my life. Until we meet again.
Hotep that means Peace
As per her request do not send live flowers but you can send plants to the family or donations.