Regina Thompson Crawley

A visitation for Regina will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151. A funeral service will occur Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Warner Baptist Church, 3613 Lacy Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22041. An interment will occur Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Pleasant Valley Memorial Park, 8420 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003. A visitation will occur Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Warner Baptist Church, 3613 Lacy Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22041.

Regina Thompson Crawley was born on July 27, 1941, in Farmington, West Virginia to the late John Henry Thompson and Princess Taylor Thompson. She was the fourth of five children born to the Thompsons. Regina became a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Farmington, WV at an early age. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1958 and moved to Norfolk, Virginia where she attended The Virginia State College, Norfolk Division (now Norfolk State University) and majored in business education.

Regina met her beloved husband, the late James E. Crawley (Jim), on her first day of college. Upon graduating, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1962-1964 and traveled to Nigeria for her assignment with her college sweetheart, Jim, whom she married on January 11, 1963. After two years of teaching in Nigeria, they explored Europe for nine months, mostly on a dollar per day. They traveled on trains and cargo ships, bartered with various people and met strangers who fell in love with them and invited them to stay in their homes. She often shared stories of their Peace Corps experiences with such joy and humored all who listened.

Following her work abroad, Regina was employed by Norfolk State University for two years and then returned to work for the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. as a Career Information Officer for five years. She furthered her education at The Catholic University of America where she earned her master’s degree in business. Regina became a business education teacher, primarily at McLean High School in Fairfax County Public Schools of Virginia where she was the first and only black teacher for several years. In her 35 years of teaching there, she initiated events and groups to uplift Black Culture including the celebration of Black History Month, a Black Student Alliance and Step Team.

Regina loved to serve the Lord and her community. She joined Warner Baptist Church in the mid-60s where she remained a member for life. She became very active with the church, singing in many choirs and serving as the Scholarship Chair. She taught Sunday School, Bible Study and Vacation Bible School. She was also the Chairperson of the Deaconess Ministry and member of the Missionary Ministry and Pastoral Affairs Ministry. Regina was active with the Northern Virginia Baptist Association Women’s Auxiliary where she served as the Scholarship Chair for over 20 years. Outside of church, she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® since 1967 where she held a variety of positions including Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. Regina was a Golden Soror and in 2019, she was voted Soror of the Year by her beloved chapter, Zeta Chi Omega. Other activities included volunteering and performing community service with the NSU National Alumni Association along with the D.C. and Greater Northern Virginia chapters. Her service to others was exemplary and she will always be remembered for her graceful nature, encouraging spirit and joyful presence.

Our beloved Regina transitioned from this life to her heavenly home on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, VA. She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter Michele Y. Crawley (Fort Washington, MD), and a son Michael J. Crawley (Decatur, GA). She is also survived by three brothers, Virgree Thompson (Seattle, WA), Aubrey Thompson (Chicago, IL), Charles Thompson (Seattle, WA) and sister, Cora R. Thompson (Arlington, VA). She was preceded in death by her son, Steven M. Crawley and brother-in-law, Carl “Bud” Johnson (Smithfield, VA). She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Iris Johnson (Smithfield, VA), a brother-in-law, Harold Johnson (Sacramento, CA), special nieces, Cheryl Wells, Renee Benning and SMSgt. Darlene Johnson, special nephew, Tommy Johnson, four grandchildren, Forrest Taylor, Leslie Turner (Gerard), Wesley Taylor, and Eron Greene, two great grandchildren, Jude and Locke Turner, six godchildren, an “adopted” son, Winslow Smith, as well as other cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives, extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her favorite charity: Susan G. Komen - Race For The Cure https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/donate/

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