Tribute

Debra Locke Crawford peacefully passed away on December 23, 2021 at the age of 70. Daughter of the late Dolores Carson and William "Sitting Bill" Wheeler, Debra was born on February 26, 1951 and raised Catholic. She was a 1969 graduate of Hempstead High School and she attended college courses at Mercy County Community College. While working at the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, she met and married Melvin Crawford, and this union was blessed with two children and the opportunity to make a difference in the precious lives of children in foster care. Debra served in the Army during peace time, and, after honorable discharge, had a fulfilling career as a Help Desk Analyst and thoroughly enjoyed helping people with their computer problems. In retirement, she volunteered at the YMCA to assist the elderly with technology.She will be remembered and missed for her story-telling, warm smile, infectious laugh, servant attitude, and supportive nature. She enjoyed playing chess, going to parties, cruising, and listening to music, especially the “Oldies but Goodies,” and her favorite artist, Aretha Franklin. With an insatiable love for reading, she read thousands of books over the course of her life. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family.Friends & family list (if you would like us to list names of friends & family alongside your tribute story):, Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Danita Crawford and Tiese (Jason) Williams of Weston, Florida; her grandchildren: Jason II, Joshua, and Gabrielle Williams of Weston, Florida; her sister; Meena Suganthi (Maz) Wheeler-Rivera of Brooklyn, New York; her nephews: Omar (Miriam) Wheeler of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ahmed (Kelly) Abdur-Rahman of New York, New York, Amir (Lauren) Abdur-Rahman of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Sulieman, Jimmy, and Karim Abdur-Rahman of Nancy, France; her nieces: Sabriya (Hans) Homer of San Juan, Puerto Rico and Chanee (Bruce) Hammonds and Tina Coleman of Westbury, New York; her grand-nieces: Mia Hammonds of Westbury, New York, Amanda and Havibeh Wheeler of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Clara Abdur Rahman of New, York, New York; and a host of devoted aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Debra was preceded in death by her beloved brothers: Kenyatte Abdur-Rahman and Chris Coleman.

Friends & Family