Evelyn Crawford-Wilson

Evelyn Crawford was born June 12, 1926, to Irma Renfroe-Crawford and John Crawford in Coldwater, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irma and John Crawford; siblings, Ethel Williams, Ella Mae Dandridge, Julia Mae Wooten, John Lee Crawford, and James Earl Crawford; son, Calvin Earl Wilson; two great-grandsons, Josiah Monigan and Isaac Monigan.
She received her education and became an educator in the Coldwater School District. As a young girl, she accepted Christ and was a member of the New Antioch Baptist Church #2.
During that time, she met the love of her life, Mr. J. P. Wilson. The two joined together in Holy Matrimony and she became Mrs. Evelyn Crawford-Wilson. They relocated to Collinsville, Illinois in the mid-1940s, where they were some of the first African Americans to move in that area. This union produced four princesses, JoAnn Wilson, Kathleen Wilson, Colette Wilson, Shelly Wilson; and one prince, Calvin Earl Wilson. While living in Collinsville, she had a church home in East Saint Louis. In later years, she became a member of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Collinsville.
While being a wife and mother, she worked as a funeral home attendant and receptionist for several years. Afterwards, she decided to remain home with her children and raised them until they stepped into their own independence.
In 1982, her life changed when her husband went home to be with the Lord. She remained strong and continued her life traveling home to the south, enjoying her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, shopping at her favorite stores (Famous N Barr & Macy's), going to Red Lobster (She had to have her lobster tails and shrimp scampi.), and seeing the horses race at Fairmont Park. She loved sitting on her front porch enjoying the beautiful weather. She loved planting and growing the biggest and most colorful flowers in her yard, her green thumb never let her down. Before her health began to decline, everyone could count on her preparing a big Sunday dinner. The family and neighbors would come, eat, and enjoy her homemade meals. Everything she prepared was made from scratch, her fried apple pies, fried corn, homemade dumplings, and salmon croquettes will never be forgotten. She held onto her independence and even drove her car until she reached her early to mid-90s. Her favorite song to sing in her final moments was, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand."
In 97 and a half years of life Evelyn Crawford-Wilson lived through the Jim Crow movement and experienced the freedom of equal rights. However, nothing compares to her next phase of life.
On December 5, 2023, a beautiful Tuesday morning, God in HIS infinite wisdom saw fit to free her from the cares of the world and took her home to be with him.
Queen Evelyn leaves to cherish her memory four daughters, JoAnn Wilson, Kathleen Wilson, Colette Wilson, and Shelly Wilson (Laura Rose); five grandchildren, Janine Blackwell, Kwintessa Wilson, Byron Wilson, Anthony Wilson, and Josh Wilson; nine great-grandchildren, Christopher Blackwell, Angeleeq Wilson, Davion Simmons, Anthony Davis III, Roman Davis, Grey'Shun'ya Simmons, Isaiah Monigan, Kayla Wilson, and Taniya Wilson; one Godson, Raymond Crumer; two close family friends, Richard Mark, Anderson Jumper, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation: Friday December 22, 2023 4pm-8pm
Celebration of Life: Saturday December 23, 2023 11am
New Mount Zion Baptist Church
307 Goethe Avenue
Collinsville, Illinois 62234
Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery Association
105 National Terrace Collinsville, Illinois 62234