Mrs. Avis Wilkins Crawley

It's with heavy hearts and great sorrow that the family of Avis Wilkins Crawley announces the passing of our beloved mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, who transitioned from this earthly world on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Calvery Hospital, Bronx, NY. After a brief cancer illness, she went home to be with the Lord, with her devoted sister, Joan, by her bedside. Avis, born September 20, 1942 in Salisbury, NC, was the daughter of the late Avis Fair and Diamond Carr Wilkins and the grand-daughter of the late Rev. J. C. and Sadie Davis Fair.

Avis, in addition to both parents, was preceded in death by two siblings - Jean Wilkins Little and James Diamond Wilkins - and a nephew, Edwin Earl Little, Jr.

Avis enjoyed her growing up years in Salisbury while attending Monroe Street Elementary and Price High Schools. She later resumed her education at Hampton University and Hunter College, in New York City, where she graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Master's Degree in Corrective Reading. She retired as a distinguished instructor after 36 years of dedicated service with the NY City Department of Education.

From a loving union of 45 years, Avis' marriage to the late Frank James Crawley blessed them with three sons, who are left to cherish her memory: Michael (Beverly) of Wheeling, IL, and Frank and Steven of the Bronx, N Y.

Avis faithfully attended Soldiers Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Salisbury, NC in her earlier years and was a member of the Junior Choir and Buds of Promise Juvenile Missionary Society. After moving to NY in later years, she became a member of Covent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem, NY.

As an educator, Avis was a member of the unions of the United Federation of Teachers, (UFT), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Teachers Association (NTA). She, also, was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and The National Democratic Party.

Avis' favorite things to do were to enjoy attending Broadway and off Broadway shows with her sister Joan and eating out, partaking of many types of cultural cuisines. She enjoyed working puzzles and reading, and, most of all, nurturing children, teaching them kindness, truth, and wisdom. She loved shaping children's futures. She desired her teaching to extend  beyond the classroom. Public viewing, Friday, March 28, 2025, from 3-7 p.m., Soldier Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 306 N. Church Street, Salisbury, North Carolina.

Professional Service Entrusted to Carroll-Waters Funerals & Cremations.