Born in San Antonio, Texas on October 17, 1930, Willie Ann Crawford was the last child born to Rev. William Crawford and Melissa Ann Meadow. She accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of Mount Zion First Baptist Church, where her father served as an associate minister.
Growing up in San Antonio, Willie Ann graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School, Class of 1948. She earned a scholarship to attend St. Philip’s College, presently a historically black institution, where she was crowned Miss. St. Philip’s 1949-1950. She was also elected Lt Governor and selected Most Studious Girl. After receiving her associate degree, she continued her education at Prairie View A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Our Lady of the Lake (San Antonio). Willie Ann continued to pursue educational excellence with advanced studies at Texas Women's University and East Texas State University and credential to teach in both the State of Texas and California.
Willie Ann married Cleveland Edwards, Jr. on June 20, 1954. Together, they were dedicated to inspiring young students to find a love for learning. They were married twenty-one years and proud parents of two daughters until Cleveland’s passing in 1975.
Willie Ann served at varying levels within the K-12 education system. She was an exceptional educator and worked for the San Antonio ISD, Richardson ISD, Sacramento Unified School District, and Dallas ISD, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service as Dean of Instruction, South Oak Cliff 9th Grade Center (formerly Zumwalt). After retirement, Willie Ann served as the executive director for the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators, a certified Texas State teacher appraiser, and an instructor at El Centro College (Dallas Community College District). She is honored in the Texas Teacher’s Hall of Fame at the African American Art Museum of Dallas.
Willie Ann remained active in her community and continued to enjoy teaching and mentoring youth. She held memberships with many civic, service, and professional organizations. She was a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, (AKA)Inc., and a member of both the San Antonio and Dallas Chapters of Jack and Jill of America, Inc throughout her children’s formative years. She was actively involved in the Texas Retired Teachers Association, the Dallas Retired Teachers Association, Dallas Urban League, African American Museum of Dallas and the Seniors Activity Guiding Education (SAGE). Willie Ann was also a devoted member of her church Friendship-West Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes III, where she enjoyed serving on the hospitality and pastoral care committees and volunteering in the church office.
Willie Ann was an avid bridge player, and loved working in her garden, reading, sipping hot tea, and traveling, especially an occasional cruise. She was a futurist, an “Instagram Queen” before Instagram was created. She took pictures on any and all occasions.
Through-out Willie Ann’s life, she believed her purpose was to be a blessing to someone every day. She ensured all whom she encountered received no less. She embraced her purpose with love and amplified the example of grace and kindness. She was a loving and involved aunt to all her nieces and nephews, who affectionately called her “Sweet Auntie.” Willie Ann had a profound impact and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Willie Ann leaves behind a legacy of unselfish love and compassionate work. Her memory lives on through her two daughters, D, Rashieda Edwards Kyles of Houston, TX and Clevette (Imani) Edwards-Sykes of Dallas, TX; two grandsons, Jamal Edwards-Sykes and Husia Kyles Oronde; two great-grandsons, Jaylen Pritchett and newest great-grandchild, Osiris Willie Sykes; many nieces and nephews, a host of extended family members, her neighborhood family, and countless friends.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18