Myrtle Lydia Crawford

Myrtle was born on October 8 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland to James Alfred and Helen Doris Spencer Nicholson. She was the youngest of two daughters raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Myrtle was an adventurous little girl, always resulting in her getting hurt in some dramatic way. But, God’s hand was on Myrtle, He had plans for her.

Myrtle attended Bridgeton High School, followed by Secretary School. Although she excelled in Short Hand and other secretarial skills, she had a hard time finding good secretarial employment, so she had to work in a local sewing factory and a chicken factory . Realizing she needed to increase her employment status, in 1967, Myrtle took the long trek up the highway to Camden, New Jersey. Not only did she find a new secretary job at the YMCA, she met her partner in life, Edward Crawford, the Karate and Physical Fitness Instructor. Myrtle and Edward were married in October 1968, they were married for 53 years.

That job with the YMCA was just a stepping stone toward success. While raising her family, she worked for the office of the Mayor of Camden, the Board of Education and Worker Compensation, Myrtle finally settled into the career that she would eventually retire from, the Social Security Administration. She would work at several locations in Philadelphia until the Lord led her and Edward to move to Arizona. There she continued working for the SSA until she retired after a total of over 24 years of service.

Myrtle loved the Lord, she was very active in church activities, working as one of the trustees and any other area she was needed for many years. Myrtle loved, loved, loved music. Once her family grew up, Myrtle was able to take piano lessons, playing for many years until she was physically unable. She also knew music. Whether it was listening to her R & B or Gospel, Myrtle knew it all. Her creativity didn’t stop with music. She was a talented seamstress, she sold artwork, she started a personalized greeting and Christmas card business and resume & proofreading business directed toward local college students after her retirement. Her hobby of Ancestry research closed the gap on missing relatives for hers and many other families.

Myrtle is a child of the Most High, a trusted friend and confidant to many, who all loved her dearly.

Myrtle is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Edward, her daughters Stacy, Stephanie and Bethanie. Her loving sister Edith Jane Jackson, her sister-in-law Dr. Yuvonne Jean Crawford, 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, along with a host of relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Lori Anne, her parents Helen and James, and her niece Sharon Jackson.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavencarrtenney.com for the Crawford family.