Obituary of Wesley Earl Crawford

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, Wesley Earl Crawford passed from this life to be with his Heavenly Father.

On Tuesday, February 26, 1948, the late Willie and Annie Mae Bell Crawford presented him to this world in Dallas, Texas.

Through the guidance of his parents, Wesley accepted Christ as the family attended Munger Avenue Baptist Church in Dallas where he was baptized at a young age. 

He received his formal education in Dallas, Texas, attending Booker T. Washington High School and  graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1966. Although he graduated from Roosevelt as a Mustang, he forever claimed himself as a Mighty Bulldog. He was affectionately known to many of his friends by the nickname “HighLow.”

He married his childhood friend Annelda Hopkins in 1984 and REUNITED in marriage in 2009. They remained lovingly married until his death.  

Wesley’s professional career as an entrepreneur began early in life. At 9 years old he began working as a paper boy throwing newspapers for The Dallas Morning News and The Dallas Times Herald.  Having one of the largest paper routes in Dallas, he won trips to Galveston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi,  Hot Springs, Arkansas, and New Orleans.  He continued his entrepreneurial dynasty by purchasing his first Yellow Taxi Cab in 1970. Having a keen sense of business he went on to purchase his first limousine in 1974, becoming only the 2nd licensed limousine owner in Dallas. Texas. This was the birth of Crawford's Limousine Service.  He was the first African American to sit on the Limousine Board for the State of Texas. He would often be privileged to chauffeur the likes of James Brown, Millie Jackson, Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson, The Solid Gold Dancers, Michael Douglas, Charlie Pride, Johnny Taylor, Hollywood Henderson, and Too Tall Jones, just to name a few. He eventually amassed a fleet of 10 limousines with many employees.

Wesley then went on to create a successful Window Cleaning business growing it from scratch to over 400 customers. No matter the business, he was always a highly sought-after business owner.

For several years, he and his brother James Crawford, Sr. prepared hundreds of bags to be delivered to the homeless population in downtown Dallas; he even took his granddaughter and great-nieces on these trips to model what service to others looks like. 

The Roosevelt Alumni Association of 1966 elected Wesley as President numerous times and under his leadership, they traveled to Washington DC, Hawaii, and Honduras.

A few of Wesley’s favorite phrases were, "Don't worry about the mule, just load the wagon”, “I’m about business”, and “Act intelligent."  He was most famously known for saying, “I’m doing the best I can.”

Wesley was preceded in death by siblings, Anthony Crawford, Glenn Terry Crawford, Marie Ann Johnson, W.J. Crawford, Quintal Crawford, Emma Jean Pettit, Jennifer Rush, and his daughter Taniquka Thomas. 

He leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy his wife Annelda Crawford, daughter Sherita Nickeson (Ian), and the apple of his eye, his granddaughter Iana Joy Nickerson, of Abilene, TX. Also, his brother James “Pete, Sr.” Crawford (Wanda) and Willia Mae Edwards of Calumet City, Il.  He also had a special bond with his nephew James “Pete Jr.” Crawford (Jaya) and two great-nieces Jasmine and Jene’ and nephew Tommy Charles Jackson (Joyce).  He will be fondly remembered by his stepson Senie “Winky” James and his nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. We will all cherish his memory.  

Funeral Service Streaming:   https://facebook.com/events/s/live-stream/273717468516871/