Theresa B. Crawford

Theresa Battle Crawford was born on June 5, 1931, in Dunn, North Carolina, to the late Annie Ryals Scott and Matthew Earnest Scott. To her parent's union were born 10 children. Her siblings were Mary, Pauline, Esther, Lillie, Pearl, Armetra, Alice, George, Elizabeth and Clementine. There were an additional five siblings from her father's first marriage. All of her siblings preceded her in death. Theresa was a 1949 graduate of Harnett High School in Dunn, North Carolina. She went on to attend North Carolina Central University where she graduated in 1953 with a degree in Home Economics. Later that year, she married Stafford Evon Battle in her hometown of Dunn, N.C. They later moved to Washington, D.C., where they raised their four children, Stafford, Winfred, and twin daughters Yvette and Dennette. After transitions in her life, Theresa met and married Thomas Crawford in 1984 and became stepmother to his children: Thomas, Jr., Randolph, Benjamin, Letitia, and Simone. This also included Thomas's extended family: Kizzie, Susan, Arnita, Amy, Roy, Reginald, and Cleveland. They all fondly referred to her as “Ma”. She joined People’s Community Church in 1962 and served in various capacities including the Senior Usher Board and Church Clerk. Years later, she joined the Christian Reformed Church in northeast Washington, closer to her home. Theresa began her career with the D.C. Department of Recreation in 1960 at Sherwood Playground as a preschool teacher. She was later reassigned to Fort Stevens Recreation Center as a Recreation Specialist. In this role she participated in the District of Columbia’s Beautification Project sponsored by Lady Bird Johnson, where she was honored at the White House for her dedicated service. She was promoted as the Director of the Fort Stevens Recreation Center where she managed youth activities and community outreach initiatives. One such program was the first intergenerational program at Fort Stevens Center, which eventually developed into a premier model for the District of Columbia’s Senior Citizen’s Programs. During this time, Theresa enrolled in the University of Maryland’s Gerontology Program, where she received her certification as a Gerontology Administrator. She committed herself to advocating senior citizens programs to encourage residents to stay active during their “golden years”. She fondly referred to her fellow senior citizens as “recycled teenagers”. Theresa retired from the DC Government in 1991 to further immerse herself in more family and community activities. Theresa’s zest for life continued beyond her retirement to include activities such as her and Thomas’s portrayal of Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus during the Christmas season. Additionally, the “Dancing Crawfords” were known for their many line dancing performances. She was actively involved in many civic organizations such as the Elks Columbia Lodge #85 I.B.P.O.E. of Washington, D.C; North Carolina Central University Alumni Association; District of Columbia Chapter of AARP; and Lamond-Riggs Community Association, to name a few. Family was everything to Theresa. She stayed closely involved in the lives of not only her children but also her grandchildren [Maria, Christina, Leandra, Clifford, Stephanie, Chase, Chelsey, Kelley], great-grand children [Kaleb, Aubrey, Corrine, Cianna, Paige, Clifford, Jr.], nieces, nephews, cousins, step-children, in-laws, neighbors, friends and church family. She especially loved the annual trip to the Wilderness Resort in Virginia for vacationing and celebrating everyone’s birthdays. Often she would say how happy she was to have all of her family around her. Theresa was preceded in death by her devoted and loving husband, Thomas A. Crawford in 2012. She leaves a loving family to honor her memory. Repast Will be held at Washington DC Christ Reformed Church 5911 New Hampshire Ave NE Washington, DC 20011

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Theresa B. Crawford

June 5, 1931 - December 22, 2014