Elder Dionne Crawford, age 49, peacefully departed this life on July 26, 2026, at Pine Pointe Hospice. She was born on November 30, 1976, in Troy, Alabama, to Walter J. Crawford and the late Juliet Pearson-Crawford.

Dionne was a woman of unwavering faith, compassion, and service. She was highly respected in her church, her profession, and throughout the community for her dedication to helping others. She graduated from Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama, and later attended Flint River Technical College in Georgia, where she completed her nursing education.

She began her nursing career in the early 2000s at Barnesville Health and Rehabilitation Center before serving as an agency nurse at Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation. She later became a longtime charge nurse at Riverside Nursing Home and also served as a home health nurse, dialysis nurse, and urgent care nurse. Most recently, Dionne was an instructor for the Certified Nursing Assistant Program at Southern Crescent Technical College, where she also taught CPR and Medication Technician courses. She was also a commissioned Notary Public.

Above all, Dionne was a devoted servant of God. Since 2006, she faithfully ministered the Word of God and was later ordained as an Elder. She served as a Sunday School teacher for Children's Church, from 2015 to 2018, as Youth Ministry Coordinator at New Life Anointed Ministries International in Barnesville, Georgia. Her passion for ministry extended beyond the church walls as she led Bible studies, prayer services, and communion services for residents and employees in long-term care facilities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dionne founded Words of Encouragement Ministries in 2019 and answered the call to pastor her own ministry. What began as online messages shared through Facebook and YouTube grew into a television ministry on WATC Atlanta 57 in 2021. Her heart's desire was to reach a lost and hurting world by preaching, teaching, and encouraging others through God's Word. She had a special consideration for the brokenhearted, single parents, young people, and anyone in need of hope and encouragement.

While Dionne accomplished much in her career and ministry, her greatest joy was her family. Her children were her greatest blessings, and she loved them with all her heart. She poured herself into their lives, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while always placing God first.

Dionne leaves to cherish her precious memory her three beloved children: Treasure Hughley, Taylor Crawford, and IceLynn Crawford; her loving father, Walter J. Crawford; her sisters, Venus (Tyrone) Bloodser and Yosheka Crawford; her twin brother, Dwon Crawford, all of Thomaston, GA; her aunt, Shirley Donaldson of New Jersey; and her bonus sister, Angela Bloodser of Thomaston, GA.

She is also survived by her nieces, Jasmine Crawford, Ayanna Debose, Marnecia Williams, and Kynslee Juliet Crawford of Thomaston, GA; her nephews, Vernderious Bryant of Troy, AL; William (Nalene) Debose of Montgomery, AL; Jarius Bloodser of Atlanta, GA; Donte Crawford, Kiwon Crawford, Taveon Crawford of Savannah, GA; Trevon Bloodser of Thomaston, GA; Mason Crawford and Jordan Crawford of Macon, GA; Shiamir Crawford and Kingston Harris; many great-nieces and great-nephews; along with a host of extended family members, friends, students, and all whose lives were forever changed by her love, compassion, and ministry.

Though her earthly assignment has ended, Dionne's legacy of faith, service, and unconditional love will continue to inspire generations to come. Her life was a testimony that one person, fully committed to God, can make an everlasting difference in the lives of many.