Vata Mae Hall Crawford

On Sunday, May 29, 1921, the birds in Huntsville, Texas sang their sweet songs much louder than usual. A newborn baby was born to Mr. Nathan Hall and Mrs. Mattie Walker Hall. Vata Mae opened her eyes, stretched her arms and legs, and began a trailblazing life. She was the eighth of seventeen children.

Vata was affectionately called Sitter by her toddler sister, Lucy. The nickname followed her throughout her life. She excelled in her classes at Mount Zion Elementary School, and was everyone’s favorite Hide ‘n Go Seek partner after the bell rang, hiding and seeking a little harder with her cousin and best friend, Jeraldine Hall. During her playtime, she attracted the attention of a classmate, Zelte Crawford, who persistently pursued her. Vata’s scholastic accomplishments prompted her parents to accept her Principal’s recommendation to attend Phyllis Wheatley High School, 70 miles away, in Houston, Texas. At Phyllis Wheatley, Vata joined the track team and cheerleading squad. Upon graduating high school, she matriculated at Texas Southern University, where she studied education. Her oratory skills triggered her role as a lead debater on the debate team. Vata traveled for competitions and received several awards.

The childhood crush that developed in elementary school turned into a beautiful marriage on January 21, 1941. The dynamic team of Zelte and Vata was inseparable, and they celebrated almost 60 years of marital bliss.

While residing in Texas, they welcomed their first two children, Zada Bell and Zelte Jr. After Zelte Sr. returned from his time of service during World War II, the Crawford family migrated north from Houston, Texas to Detroit, Michigan. It was in Detroit where Vata vastly expanded her knowledge, family, and impact, reaching the lives of hundreds around her. The family joined Mount Zion Missionary Baptist church in Detroit, and Sis. Crawford served as a Deaconess and President of the Young Christian Women’s group, inspiring and teaching several young ladies. Expanding her influence, she accepted membership to the Eastern Star Organization. However, after sanctification, she later withdrew her association.

In Michigan, Vata and Zelte welcomed two additional biological children, Lois and Catherine, and many foster children. Vata raised each of her children (biological, foster and spiritual) with a heart full of love; however, Vata never hesitated to teach and correct. She was boldly outspoken and bravely participated in the civil rights movement. She was a strong woman, and instilled fear in the strongest of men and women. Vata Mae was truly one of a kind.

As a community changemaker, Mrs. Crawford enrolled at Wayne State University in Detroit and became a social worker for the Detroit Board of Education and received Mayoral awards from the cities of Detroit, Highland Park and Southfield for her reach and impact on young lives. Her longest tenure was at Joyce Elementary School, where she worked closely with children and families. Mrs. Crawford established several successful organizations that provided care for children and adults with special needs.

The radio preaching of the late Bishop William Rimson, sparked the family’s membership relocation from Mount Zion Baptist to Greater Love Tabernacle COGIC. Mother Crawford often testified about the night she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, in July of 1956. From that day forward, she served her husband closely in the ministry, and in 1958 together they founded God’s Holy Tabernacle COGIC. She faithfully led the Women’s Department at the church, and established several community outreach programs to help feed and clothe the unhoused in the community. She and Pastor Crawford established a summer school for young people throughout Detroit. Mother Crawford taught core Math and Reading skills, and would drive her students home after class. Her heart and willingness to go above and beyond for others had no limits.

Her greatest love was serving God and His people. As a licensed evangelist she led many to the Lord, and adopted children throughout the country as spiritual sons and daughters. Many of them went on to serve in the church as missionaries, preachers, pastors, and bishops. Evangelist Crawford also loved her assignment as a chaplain for Detroit Hospitals. And Missionary Crawford served to organize the Women’s Department in the newly formed Great Lakes jurisdiction under the Late Bishop C. L. Anderson and Supervisor Hunt.

Mother Crawford loved to travel. She rode the “Glory Train” to the first National Women’s Convention and continued to attend the Women’s Convention and Holy Convocation, yearly, until her health declined in 2018. Mother Crawford was always a star in the crowd, and she always received multiple compliments on her attire and hats.

After Superintendent Zelte Crawford’s passing in 2000, Mother Crawford continued her faithfulness to the church working with the interim Pastor, Superintendent Milton R. Hawkins, and later, appointed Pastor, Superintendent Anthony Starks. In 2008, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee with Catherine, and her son-in-law Bishop Milton R. Hawkins, and she faithfully attended Temple of Deliverance COGIC.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Mattie Hall; husband, Superintendent Zelte Crawford; daughter, Lois Marie Crawford Williams; eldest grandson, James Logan William; loving daughter-in-law, Cubie Bell Crawford; siblings, Mary Ann (M.H.) Hayward, Ocie Mae Hall, Joe (Edna Mae) Hall, Nathan Hall Jr., Curmie (Mary) Hall, Ava Lee (Frank) Cotton, Anna Margaret (Joseph) Coatney, Mildred (Arthur) Thomas, Oletha Lucy (Judge) Clark, Dorothy Sue (Elder John B.) Randall, Charlie (Irene) Hall, Sam Hall, Rufus Hall, George Hall, and John W. (Amanda Alice) Hall; and brothers-in-law Early (Willie Mae) Crawford and Aaron Agee.

Holding the hand of her daughter and care-giver, Catherine, Mother Vata Mae Hall Crawford triumphantly transitioned peacefully to her heavenly home, after a life fulfilled, on October 1, 2022. All of the great works of this great woman cannot be named. Mother Crawford shared the testimony, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7.

Carrying on her memory and legacy are her children, Zada B. Crawford Flake, Zelte Crawford Jr., and Catherine Renee (Bishop Milton R.) Hawkins; grandchildren, Tezira, Sharif, Juma, Selena, Alisa, Robert, Joshua; great-grandchildren Myia, Jacob, Santana, and Karim; and her dearest sister, Frettie Lee Agee, and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren and the church families of Life Church and Temple of Deliverance.