Betty Jean Crawford Williams

Visitation will be held at M. J. Edwards Riverdale Life Celebration, 4816 RIVERDALE ROAD, MEMPHIS, TN 38141, US, on July 31, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Mt. Moriah-East Baptist Church, 1248 Haynes St, Memphis, TN 38114, US, on August 1, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

A Committal Service will be held at Memorial Park South Woods, 5485 Hacks Cross Rd, Memphis, TN 38125, US, on August 1, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

Betty Jean Crawford Williams was born to the late MC Crawford, Sr. and Rosie B.Crawford in Memphis, TN on August 9, 1958. She was the eighth of nine children.

Betty transitioned from this life on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital.

Betty professed and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at Hickory Hill Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. William Faulkner, where she sang in the choir and served on the usher board. Betty later united with New Philadelphia Baptist

Church. She continued her spiritual journey at Robinhood Lane Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Eugene Cochran, later Rev. David Ricks, and now Rev. Alton Rodgers where she was a faithful member of the Sunday School, Mass/Women’s Choirs, and Youth Ministry; until her passing.

Betty attended Germantown High School and was a member of the class of 1976.

Over the course of her life, Betty has worn multiple hats. She was an independent seamstress.

Betty’s heart and passion was with the children. Betty was affectionately known as “Babysitter” “Auntie Betty”, and “The woman with all the children”. Often times, Betty would fill her van up with children going to church, movies, or just playing at the park. Betty has worked at numerous daycares throughout the Mid-South.

Betty attended Southwest Tennessee Community College and earned her CDA (Child Development Associates). Betty worked for Shelby County Schools as a teacher’s assistant. In 1990, she opened B.J.’s Little Angels Family Home Daycare. Her company ran successfully changing many lives for almost a decade. She started Crawford’s Enrichment Center with her sister Sylvia and daughter Sharon.

On July 4th, 1981, Betty married Cecil Ray Williams, Sr. and the Lord blessed this union with 4 beautiful children.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings MC Crawford, Jr., Sylvia Woods, Rebecca Ann Craft, Mildred Kirkwood, and Larry Crawford, Sr.

To cherish her precious memories and a legacy of love, Betty leaves her husband of 45 years Cecil Williams, Sr. She leaves her 4 children; Sharon Eddins, Carmin Williams, Cecil Williams, Jr., and Ramone Lawson. 2 sisters; Jacqueline Kirkwood (Stephen) and Rose McCracken. 1 brother Richard Crawford, Sr. 11 grandchildren - Carlie Anderson, Keltin Williams, J’Sharron Eddins, Khloe’ Williams, Jaryn Eddins, Carlin Eddins, Albert Lawson, Sharmaine Davis, Shamaya Lawson, Jasmine Lawson, Guicci, God daughter Karesha

Cochran, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.