Arethea Crawford

On Monday, October 10, 2022, Arethea Crawford received a call from God that the mansion he promised her was now complete.

Arethea was the eldest of sixteen children born on August 24, 1926 in Dillon, South Carolina to the late Rose and Roebuck Bethea. Growing up she remained in South Carolina and was educated in the Dillon Public School System.

In 1945 Arethea married Brooks McCall. From this union six children were born: Brooks, Jr. Walter, Nettie, Charlene, Clarine, and Sylvia.

Ready to explore new opportunities, Arethea relocated to the Philadelphia area in 1956. Here she gained employment as a presser at St. Agnes Hospital and later at Gordy’s Hat Factory. She also did domestic work to help support her family. Arethea joined Little Mount Zion Baptist Church in 1960, where she sang on the choir. She later joined St. Phillips Baptist Church where she served faithfully for 30 years.

It was in 1978 when she met and married the love of her life James Crawford. She truly adored him and their bond was evident to all who saw them together. Once he became ill she cared for him until his passing on February 20, 2000.

Arethea had to return to Dillon, SC in 1997 to help care for her ailing mother. During this time, she became a member of Manning Baptist Church.

Known for her stylish dressing and love of hats, Arethea was very creative and became a dress and hat maker herself. Her favorite pastime was telling stories about family life in the South. She was the “hostess with the most-est”. If you came to her home you better be prepared to have something to eat or drink. Arethea learned self-discipline and responsibility from her mother Rose and she passed these characteristics down to her own children. Also, known for “keeping it real” she believed in being honest. If you didn’t want to hear the truth, don’t ask!

Arethea was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord and her family. This family matriarch was preceded in death by thirteen of her brothers and sisters.

Arethea leaves to cherish her memory; six children; Brooks McCall, Jr. Walter McCall, Nettie Deshields, Charlene Scruggs, Clarine Curtis and Sylvia McCall. One Brother Willie C Bethea, one sister Queenie McLaughlin, twenty-three grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Maddie Bethea and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends, and a special cousin Josephine Riley.

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