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~Expressions of Gratitude ~

We, the family of Larry ‘Lil Larry’ Crawford, Jr , are so grateful that you have come today to help us celebrate Larry’s birthday and homegoing as he has journeyed back to The Father- the one who so graciously shared him with us. Your prayers and many acts of kindness have given us comfort and have helped us to accept God’s will. Your presence here today makes us realize just how much we are loved and cared for- God has truly blessed us.

You Could See Me Now”

My prayers have been answered, I finally arrived. The

Special thanks to the Reverend Dr. Lillie Matlock, the caring staff of Signature Healthcare of Memphis and the incomparable team at Harrison’s Memorial Chapel.

~Honorary Pallbearers ~ Wooddale High School Graduating Class of 1995 The Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association

Active Pallbearers

If you could see me now, I’m walking streets of gold.

If you could see me now, I’m walking tall and whole.

If you could see me now, you’d know I’ve seen Him face to face. If you could only see me now…

Though I’ve had our sorrows, they can never compare What Jesus has in store for me, no language could ever share. You would not want me to ever leave this perfect place, if you could only see me now.

If you could see me now, I’m walking streets of gold.

If you could see me now, I’m walking tall and whole.

If you could see me now, you’d know I’ve seen His face.

If you could only see me now, I’m well and I’m whole, walking streets of gold.

If only you could see me now…

“There’s No Comparison To HARRISON”

Written by Kim Noblitt

Recorded by Bishop Paul S. Morton

Reflections Reflections of Life

Larry ‘Lil Larry’ Crawford, Jr., the first child of Larry and Nettie Woody Crawford, made his grand entrance on April 30, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee. At six years old, Larry explained that the world had two teams- God’s team and the devil’s team- and he wanted to make sure he was on God’s team. Based on his confession and understanding, he was later baptized at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr. Alvin O’Neal Jackson.

Larry was a proud member of the Wooddale High School Class of 1995. While completing his A.S. degree in Information Technology at State Technical Institute, he discovered his passion for computers. He then went on to his beloved Clark Atlanta University where he earned a B.S. in Computer Science with Honors in 2002 and two M.S. in Computer Science degrees with Honors in 2003 with concentrations in Computer Networks and Communications as well as Information Systems.

Larry learned early to be faithful with very little. He got his first job at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery doing landscaping so that he could save money to buy a car. He also worked at Clark Atlanta University’s Army Research Laboratory to help pay for his tuition and provided free tutoring services for his classmates. In 2004, Larry relocated to Washington, DC to begin his career as a software engineer at Lockheed Martin’s aerospace and defense divisions and later was contracted to work for several other government agencies. While in Washington, DC, he expanded on his calling to be a light to others and began doing stand-up comedy under the alias Larry ‘Cookout’ Crawford.

Larry was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2006. MS- an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system- progressively caused him to lose his ability to work and be independent. Although MS took his wealth and health, he refused to let the disease take away his sense of humor, his smile or his faith in God. Whenever he was asked how he was doing, he would exclaim, “I’m Fantastic!” Because of his endearing and positive disposition, Larry was crowned ‘The 2019 King of Hearts’ at Signature Healthcare of Memphis.

Larry leaves to treasure his legacy of love: his mother, Nettie Woody Crawford; his father, Larry Crawford, Sr.; his sister, Lorian Crawford; his niece, Londyn Elise; his grandmother, Bernice Jones and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends whom he cherished.