Mary Brown Crawley

On Friday, December 3, 2010 our dear Mother, businesswoman, and soldier of God, Mother Mary Crawley laid down her sword and shield, stepped through the portal separating time from eternity, no longer having to deal with toils, trials, tears and disappointments and answered the call to eternal rest. Mother Crawley died at home peacefully in her sleep. She was 88 years old. Mrs. Crawley (also known as Ella Mae) was gifted with the spirit of giving and well known as a benefactor to all who were in need in the Richmond and surrounding areas. Mother Crawley was born in Yale, VA on September 18, 1922 and is the second daughter of 13 siblings of Mrs. Hattie Devereaux Brown and Mr. Willie Brown. She spent her early childhood summers in Rocky Mount, NC but resided predominantly in Richmond, VA. In the late 30’s, Mother Crawley met and then married army Sergeant Frank Crawley, Jr. whereupon they were blessed to raise fourteen children. It was during this period of parenthood when Elder and Mother Crawley realized this his three jobs were not sufficient to provide for their family in the manner they desired. With the guidance of Almighty God, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a 100-dollar investment, Elder and Mother Crawley opened the Jet Bargain stores in the late 60’s, which expanded to seven locations. Elder Crawley then purchased a small chemical manufacturing company that used paraffin based chemicals to produce and distribute candle wax and hair pomade, a commonly known brand that was called “Indian Brand Hair Grease” which shipped orders throughout the United States. In the early 70’s they opened Mascot Gas & Oil Company that expanded to 6 locations and numerous Hawk’s Barbeque restaurants that have occupied more than 15 locations throughout the Richmond, Petersburg, and Norfolk, VA areas over the past 40 years. Eventually diversifying they opened Crawley’s Rest Home and Crawley’s Funeral Home in the 1980’s. All businesses combined grew to a multi-million dollar empire. With no prior business experience, limited education, and a willingness to succeed, Mother and Elder Crawley proved that you can be as successful in anything you endeavor with hard work and faith in Almighty God. Elder and Mrs. Crawley were devoted members of the Saint Mark COGIC and later the Jerusalem Holiness Church of St. Sinai under the pastor ship of Rev. Clarence Dunlap and Bishop Annie Chamberlin, respectively. When her husband answered the call to ministry, Mrs. Crawley then became the first lady of the Tabernacle of Deliverance Apostolic Church. Mother Crawley was gifted with a spirit of giving and was well known in the area as a benefactor to many in need. She is preceded in death by her husband, Pastor Crawley and children, William Murchison, Maxine Lynch and Frank E. Crawley. She leaves to cherish her fondest memories her remaining children, Jerome Brown (Ruby), Thelma Crawley, Melvin Crawley (Lauretta), Douglas Crawley (Ethel), Carolyn Crawley, Faye Nicholson, Chris Hasty, Randy Crawley, Dr. Charlene Crawley-Wright (Arthur) and Loretta Richardson (Pastor John). She has numerous “god children”; a devoted brother, Willie J. Brown and sister, Mrs. Joyce Lacks; sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary Jefferson; devoted caregivers, Mrs. Joanna Briggs and Mrs. Annie Lewis; devoted Godsons, Mr. Bernard Lambert and Mr. Beverly Tyler; over 40 grandchildren; 15 great grand-children and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She resided in Henrico County with her youngest daughter, Dr. Charlene Crawley-Wright, son-in-law, Mr. Arthur Wright and eldest daughter, Thelma Winston Crawley.

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Mary Brown Crawley

September 18, 1922 - December 3, 2010