Mrs. Blanche Mae Crawford

Blanche Mae Crawford (Tee) was born to Sherman Price and Cora Ann Sykes-Price on December 31, 1929 in Forrest City, Arkansas. She is better known by family and friends as "Tee." Blanche was a remarkable woman who was a role model to her family andfriends. Blanche was the oldest girl of 7 children. She had two older brothers; two younger sisters, and three younger brothers. Even though Blanche lost her hearing at an early age, she never allowed her disability to be a handicap. She developed a "self-taught" version of sign language that she used to communicate with her children and other family members. She never received formal training in American Sign Language. It was amazing for the family to learn that many of the sign words they learned from Blanche were being used as part of the universal language for the deaf. Also, her ability to read lips was so proficient until many wondered if she was really deaf: She attended Lucy Middle School in Lucy, Tennessee where she completed eighth grade. It was noted by her siblings that her educational achievements were not a true reflection of her level of knowledge. Blanche proficiency in math made her a willing tutor for her siblings. Her ability to master complex concepts was an asset in her eagerness to be independent. She also made her commitment to the Catholic Faith in the early 1960s at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She continued her faith in attending Saint Ann's Catholic Church and All Saints Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After returning to the South, she attended St. Augustine Catholic Church in Memphis, Tennessee where she will be missed dearly. After moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the early 1960s, she worked as a cook in the Milwaukee Public School Systems at Auer Avenue Middle School. She later joined the staff at Goodwill Industries until he retired. She was united in holy matrimony to Benjamin F. Payne on August 18, 1952. She raised 10 kids. After the death of her first husband, she later married Billy Joe Crawford where they raised her granddaughter. After the death of her second husband in July of 1993, she showed signs of the need of careful monitoring. During all of her losses and challenges, she always fought to maintain her independence. Blanche was a beautiful and strong woman who never let the fact that she was deaf stop her from dancing and getting out into the world: Her life is reflected in the kind and generous care that she received from family members and the community. Blanche truly received her flowers while she was living. She taught al lof her children and grandchildren to be strong and independent. She was truly a 20th and 21lst century matriarch: Blanche's history of courage and will to fight is strength to her family members who mourn her passing into eternal life. On January 2, 2013, family Angels gently guided her home. Among those Angels guiding the way was her mother and father, Cora A. Harris and Sherman Price; her brothers, Robert Lee, Charlie Bland, Elmer Harris Sr., her sisters, Zola Mae "Sug" Matthews and Izola Mae Harris Davis. a son George Payne; and a granddaughter, Vikki Moore. Blanche leaves to cherish her memory, a devoted and loving family: one brother, Edward (Josie) Harris, Jr. of Memphis, TN; four sons, Sammie Lee (Rosa) Daniels of Earle, AR, Benjamin F. Payne, Jr. of Milwaukee, WI, John H. (Jamera) payne of Colombia, MO, Terry L. (Alma) Payne of Milwaukee, WI; five daughters, Ruth McClinton of Milwaukee, WI, Shirley (Andrew) Washington of Grand Prairie, TX; Linda Payne of Milwaukee, WI, Corene (Lenard) Wells of Olive Branch, MS, Regina (Steven) Scott of Milwaukee, WI; and a granddaughter (raised by Blanche), Brandi (James) Hill of Raleigh, NC; Blanche also leaves 27 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mrs. Blanche Mae Crawford

December 31, 1929 - January 2, 2013