Daniel Rosewell Crawford

Daniel was born on January 18, 1939, in South Georgia, in the small, quaint town of Fitzgerald, to Irene Pearl Smith “MaDear” and Johnnie Roosevelt Crawford. He was raised on the West Side of Fitzgerald by a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, the community, and his most beloved grandmother, “Mama,” Annie Smith, the first African American employee of the U.S. Post Office in Fitzgerald. He graduated with honors from Monitor High School, Eagles, in the Class of 1958. While at Monitor, he was the Class President, captain of the football team, a member of the National Honor Society, and an automotive engineer who built a car with his friend.

Daniel retired from the Atlanta Public School system after a 33-year career as a Service Technician and Supervisor of Field Support Technicians. He also enjoyed a part-time career as an adjunct professor at Atlanta Area Technical College and Kennesaw State University. After retiring, he moved to Palm Bay, Florida, and continued providing technical support through his business, DRC Technical Services, while enjoying working with computers at home.

He was ahead of his time— in the 70s, he transformed his modest home, which he shared with his two oldest children, into a smart home. In the 2000s, he transformed his granddaughter Robin’s family home into a smart home. Early in life, he was a freelance photographer. As a Shriner of Shriners International, he was committed to service and improvement.

Daniel was preceded in death by his daughter, Keisha (Anthony) Crawford, and his grandson, Princeton.

Daniel will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Gina Crawford, and their children: Daniela Gia, Francine, Angelica, Victor, Dawn, Michelle, Regina, Yvette, and Damon. He is also survived by his sister, Rosa Crawford Watts; nephew, Samuel Arthur Watts III; twelve grandchildren: Robin, Valdis, L’Oreal, Vincent, Princeton, Terrell, Nicolas, Brianna, Taylor, Jordan, Chanel, Ja-Ki, and Bryce; and two great-grandchildren, Cer’Raeylynn and Ka’Vorien.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone present, our friends, family, and Dan’s children, for your outpouring of support and condolences during this difficult time—thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

A visitation gathering will be held for Daniel on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. A gathering will also take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life beginning at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Fountainhead Memorial Park.

In prayer for your journey into eternal rest.