Diane Mary Bluesky Crawford

Diane Mary BlueSky Crawford

Diane Mary BlueSky Crawford, 75, of Johns Creek, Georgia crossed over on April 27, 2014.

The homegoing celebration for Diane’s Georgia-based family and friends will be held on Thursday May 1, 2014 at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, GA. The viewing will be at 10am with the service following at 11am. Arrangements are being handled by Murray Brothers Funeral Home of Atlanta, GA.

The homegoing celebration for Diane’s New Jersey-based family and friends will be held on Saturday May 3, 2014 at First Christian Assembly Church in Plainfield, NJ. The viewing will be at 8am with the service following at 9am. Burial will follow the homegoing celebration at Glendale Cemetery in Bloomfield, NJ. Arrangements are being handled by Judkins Colonial Home in Plainfield, NJ.

Diane Mary BlueSky Lenape Woman, was born in Newark, NJ on January 7, 1939 to David and Dollie Crawford. She was one of five children and attended Hawkins Street Elementary School and East Side High School, both in Newark, NJ.

BlueSky married Joseph Stewart, Sr. in 1954 and five children were born of their union: Catherine, Dollie, Diane, Joseph Jr., and Eugene. Joseph Stewart, Sr. proceeded her in death in 1987.

BlueSky worked for Sabrett Food Corporation in Jersey City, New Jersey for 40 years. She was a professional model, as well as a director and producer of fashion shows around the Tri-State area. In addition, she was an avid bowler and enjoyed traveling with friends and family. She is a Tribal Member of the Anitsalagi Onaselagi Northeastern Band where she held the office of treasurer for almost 20 years. BlueSky was a loyal, tithing member of St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, GA and the honorary Vice-Queen of “The 25 Sparkling Angelettes” of Johns Creek, GA.

BlueSky is survived by her mother Dollie J. Glass of Newark, NJ; brothers Dennis (late Winifred) and Roy Crawford (Arlene Brown) also of Newark, NJ; her daughter Dollie J. Salter (Larry Salter) of Johns Creek, GA; sons Joseph Stewart, Jr. of Decatur, GA, Eugene Stewart of Newark, NJ and Marzette (Marisa) Porterfield of Lawrenceville, GA; her grandchildren Wayne D. Alford, Jr.(Victoria); Phillip L. Stewart (Annette); Alexa Hudson (Irving); Brittany Stewart; Joseph Stewart, III; Ralph Guthrie; Chantel Smith; Michelle Wise; Branden and Dana Salter and Natasha Anderson; her great-grandchildren Kaiyah, Jennifer, Jessica, Jenea, Jovan, Jasmine, Jeanette, Phillip, Wayne, Xavier, Camryn, Carter, Eugene Jr., Marcus, Ty-ler, Jalen, Keisha, Khalif, and Jasmine B.; and her great-great grandchildren Jadyn, Jamiyah, Jamel, Raven, Jamal, Patrick, III, Ja’Layah, Jamarian, Dominic and Channing. BlueSky is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends who all love her dearly. BlueSky is preceded in death by her late husband Alonzo Jones; David Crawford (father); Alvena Crawford (sister) and David Crawford, Jr. (brother); daughters Catherine Marie Guthrie, Diane Stewart and granddaughter Sherrie Annette Guthrie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Cherokee Ani-Tsalagi Onaselagi (Cherokee, Northern Band) Tribal Office: 1100 Louisa Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey, 07201 (908. 558. 8772). The family of Diane Mary BlueSky Crawford wishes to thank:

St. James United Methodist Church (Alpharetta, GA) First Christian Assembly Church (Plainfield, NJ) Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church (Newark, NJ) Southwest Airlines Cherokee Ani-Tsalagi Onaselagi (Cherokee, Northern Band) The 25 Sparking Angelettes Literary Ladies Of North Georgia Murray Brothers Funeral Home (Atlanta, GA) Judkins Colonial Home (Plainfield, NJ) Lisa Hawthorne Cora Bostic

Pall Bearers Wayne Alford, Jr. Phillip Barrett James Barnes Gary Jones Phillip Stewart Isiah Gochett

Flower Bearers:

The 25 Sparkling Angelettes St. James United Methodist Church Alpharetta, GA

Order of Service

Rev. Dr. Michael T. McQueen, Officiating

Musical Prelude

Processional Pastors and Family

Song of Praise STJUMC Combined Choirs: “Total Praise”

Scripture Reading:

Old Testament: Psalm 23 Tangela Collins

New Testament: John 14: 1-6 Patricia Williams

Prayer of Comfort Rev. Karen Lyons

Musical Selection STJUMC Combined Choirs

Special Moment of Reflection Minister Dollie Salter

Expressions Minister Willie Nelson, III

Margaret Horton

Michelle Chandler

Larry Salter

Poem: “Angel Wings” by Stacey Wright Stacey Wright

Silent Reading of Obituary Instrumental Medley Musical Selection STJUMC Combined Choirs or a Soloist

Eulogy Pastor John Paul McGee Worship Arts Pastor St. James United Methodist Church

Acknowledgements Wayne David Alford, Jr.

Recessional

A repast will be held in the St. James Center for Excellence following the service. Donna-da Donna-da go ho nei – Do Not Say Goodbye

"Until we meet again in this Life or the Next, I give a piece of my heart and ask that You fill that space with a Piece of Your Heart: until We meet again. We do not die but crossover.”

Tsalagi (Cherokee) Tradition (North Eastern Band)

Angel Wings

By Stacey Wright

Heaven opened its gate, our newest angel has arrived Let the trumpets sound as we welcome BlueSky Her work on earth is complete, she is given her wings Let the celebration begin, let the bells of joy ring On earth there is sadness, hearts filled with pain Her loved ones mourn, calling out her name Ma, Grandma, Blue Sky, Diane Why did you go? I just don't understand Confused by her home going, her loved ones are broken Not seeing the blessing in this angel being chosen God called her home, a new assignment from above A guardian angel to cover and protect the ones she loves My loved ones, don't you weep, I am where I belong Physically my body won’t be with you, but my presence will be strong I am happy, I am free, I am with each one of you You will always be reminded of me- every day that the Sky is Blue First Christian Assembly Church Plainfield, New Jersey

Rev. Frances Hubert, Pastor

Order of Service

Musical Prelude

Processional Pastors and Family

Song of Praise Sarah Mobly

Scripture Reading:

Old Testament Psalm 23 Cora Bostic

New Testament John 14: 1-6 Victoria Alford

Prayer of Comfort Ebony Jackson

Musical Selection David Kirkwood

Special Moment of Reflection Minister Dollie Salter

Expressions Marie Walking-Woman

Jan Taylor

Wayne Alford

Robyn Crawford

Poem: “Angel Wings” by Stacey Wright Tonya Wood Reading of Obituary Michelle Bryant

Musical Selection: “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” Eugene Stewart

Eulogy Minister Willie Nelson, III

Acknowledgements Edward Two-Bears

Recessional

Internment

Glendale Cemetery Bloomfield, New Jersey

A repast will be held following the service at:

Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church 88 Lyons Avenue Newark, NJ (973) 923-5205