Dennis Leon Crawford

Dennis Leon Crawford was born on July 2, 1954, in Marianna, Florida, to Willie Crawford, Sr. and the late Inez Pete Crawford. On March 5, 2026, he passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord.

A man of deep faith, Dennis accepted Christ at an early age and remained a devoted and faithful member of Greenwood Chapel AME Church for many years. He graduated from Greenwood High School with the Class of 1972 and attended Chipola Junior College before enlisting in the military. He served his country with pride for 24 years, retiring as Staff Sergeant (E6). Among his many honors were the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle), and his service in Operation Desert Storm, which remained one of his proudest accomplishments. He was also a member of the 144th Transportation Company in Marianna.

Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Inez Pete Crawford, his sister Mellonia Kendall, and his granddaughter Tailan Bashir. He is survived by his devoted wife, Louise Crawford; his children, Tara Crawford of Atlanta, Georgia, Gwen Rosemann (Blake) of Panama City, Florida, Nakita Crawford (Diveda) of New Market, Maryland, Neville Mack (Taliah) of Woodruff, South Carolina, Makesha Griffin (Reverend Eric) of Tallahassee, Florida, Christopher Gray of Jacob City, Florida, and Kerrence Gray of Tampa, Florida; his father, Willie Crawford, Sr. (Carrie) of Greenwood, Florida; his sisters Betty Crawford of Greenwood and Annette Olds (Edison) of Campbellton, Florida; his brother Willie Crawford, Jr. (Anita) of Greenwood; and a large, loving family that includes three aunts, one uncle, one brother-in-law, 18 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, and dear friends who will cherish his memory.