Dr. Crawford Lewis
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Crawford Lewis. A celebration of life service was held Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church in Atlanta.
Dr. Crawford Lewis’ life is a testament to the power of faith and hard work. Dr. Lewis hailed from Monticello, Ga. with dreams of being successful and touching the lives of others. Throughout high school and college, he excelled in both athletics and academics and found that he had strong leadership skills. Utilizing this skill set, he became captain of both his basketball and baseball teams during his senior year at Clark College (Clark Atlanta University).
That year, he would also meet the love of his life – Sandra Scott.
After leaving Clark, he began his career with DeKalb County School System as a Social Studies and Physical Education teacher at Montgomery Elementary School. During his time at Montgomery, he earned his master’s degree (1981), Education Specialist degree (1985) and Ph.D. (1990).
Prior to earning his Education Specialist degree, Dr. Lewis and Sandra married and decided to start a family—welcoming their daughter, Maria Denise, in 1982 and son, Matthew Crawford, in 1986. Both children were christened at St. Philip A.M.E. Church where Dr. Lewis and Sandra regularly attended services. Family was a priority. Despite his many professional duties and responsibilities, he coached and attended all of his son’s youth soccer, baseball and AAU basketball games, and all of his daughter’s cheerleading events.
At Montgomery, Dr. Lewis would go on to become assistant principal and later, principal. After receiving his Ph.D., having moved Montgomery to a School of Excellence, he was reassigned to Snapfinger Elementary with the expectation that he’d help them achieve the same success. He excelled in this endeavor. Snapfinger not only became a School of Excellence but a magnet school for math and science.
Following his time at Snapfinger, he rose through the school system’s administrative ranks, earning the titles of executive director, senior director and eventually superintendent. He was appointed as DeKalb Schools Superintendent on October 9, 2004, and proudly served until he retired from the school system in April 2010.
After retirement, Dr. Lewis became more active in church activities. He regularly volunteered at Lithonia First United Methodist Church’s food bank, served as an usher and later became a lay member and administrative counsel chair. Dr. Lewis was planning to serve as the church’s lay leader for 2023. He will be remembered for modeling faith, love, kindness and generosity in all aspects of his career and life.
Dr. Crawford Lewis, 68 years of age, passed on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Emory Decatur Hospital. Dr. Lewis was born on March 21, 1954, in Monticello. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents Dorothy Pinkney and Israel Pinkney, Sr. He is the third of six siblings.
Recognized for his leadership, accomplishments and commitment to education, Dr. Lewis has been honored nationally and locally with commendations from senators, governors, state superintendents and state representatives with notable accomplishments of:
•Principal of Montgomery Elementary School when named a DeKalb School of Excellence
•Principal of Snapfinger Elementary Magnet School when named a Georgia School of Excellence
•DeKalb County Schools Principal of the Year
•·Milken Foundation’s National Education Award
•Georgia State University Distinguished Alumni Award
•Clark Atlanta University Outstanding Alumni in Education Award
·•NAACP Education Award
•Who’s Who Guide to Atlanta’s Top Educational Leaders, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Dr. Lewis loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was also a huge University of Georgia football fan and a proud alumnus of Clark Atlanta University.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 42 years, Sandra S. Lewis; his children, Maria D. Greene and Matthew C. Lewis; son-in-law, Luke Greene; grandchildren, Luke Lucky Greene and Liberty Sarai Greene; siblings, John W. Lewis (Shelia), Belinda Epps, Israel J. Pinkney, Jr., C. Ann Whidby (Thomas), S. DeWayne Pinkney (Angela); aunt, Ella Standifer; sisters-in-law, Doris Crenshaw, Valerie D. Shannon (Tilman); brothers-in-law, Morris Gordon, Jr. (Yvonne), Donald C. Scott (Phyllis), Michael Q. Scott (Collette), nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. At the request of the family in lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/