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Collier Crawley of Southampton died at home on April 4, 2017. He was 95.
Born on May 30, 1921, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, he was the son of the late Collier Crawley and Ella (Stewart) Crawley, and husband to the late Clara Lee Crawley.
Mr. Crawley spent his early years in Dinwiddie County, growing up on a farm where he was one of 10 children. It was on that farm where he developed his strong work ethic. He attended Center Star Baptist Church with his family until he left Virginia.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in December 1942 and assigned to an all Black Infantry Unit, during World War II. His tour of duty took him into battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. While in the army he received the American Theater Campaign Medal, Eament Campaign Medal, 5 Bronze Service Stars, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged as a corporal in December 1945.
Returning to Virginia after his discharge, he heard of work opportunities in the north from his older sister, Lillian, and moved to Southampton.
In Southampton, he worked various labor intensive jobs before he obtained employment with the Southampton Village Highway Department in 1968, retiring at the age of 70 in 1991.
Mr. Crawley married Clara Lee Stewart in 1955. She often told stories of knowing what time her husband got off work, and made sure she was brushing her long hair in the window as he passed by. They were married for 59 years before her death in 2013.
Mr. Crawley was affectionately known as “Socks” to his friends and “Daddy” to his children, grandchildren and many local neighborhood kids. Survivors said he was a humble, peaceful hardworking man, who loved and cherished his entire extended family. He was a diehard New York Mets fan and loved listening to gospel music all day Sunday.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Crawley was predeceased by his brothers, Mack Crawley, Herbert Crawley, Langston Crawley, James Crawley and Edward Crawley; sisters, Elsie Pryor, Lillian Morgan, Queen Parham and Anna Bigham; and a daughter, Sylvia Bynoe.
He is survived by children, William Hite of Arizona, Alberta Crawley Johnson of Buffalo, and Robert Craig Crawley of California; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews cousins, friends and a special daughter, Patty Johnson. He also leaves his dog, Bruno.
A funeral took place last week at Kings Chapel COGIC, in Southampton.
Interment with military honors followed at Calverton National Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Apr 11, 2017