Pre-eminent Brooklyn artist Reba Joyce Ashton-Crawford, spouse of Guyanese-born Dr. Clinton Crawford, artwork historical past professor emeritus, Medgar Evers School, Metropolis College of New York (CUNY), ended her battling with most cancers after seven years on Oct. 11. She was 66.
Dr. Crawford instructed Caribbean Life over the weekend that his spouse’s “company as a artistic genius was highlighted with a recording profession, together with a number of creative expressions.
“This tremendous proficient artistic genius excelled in lots of mediums, corresponding to nonetheless and digital video pictures; oils and acrylics on canvas; paper works; wearable artwork jewellery; material and fiber arts; ceramics; and collages,” he stated. “The total vary of her skills can be displayed in a gallery exhibition quickly.”
With quite a few documentaries to her credit score, corresponding to “One other Take a look at Egypt,” “Egypt Revisited,” “Pyramid and Sphinx,” “Evolution of Pyramid constructing,” “The Queen who was King,” “Two Nice Temples of Historic Egypt: Karnak and Luxor,” “Ramses the Nice: Architectural Genius;” amongst different groundbreaking documentaries, Dr. Crawford stated his spouse “marched alongside her path to enlightenment.”
“By now, one should glean Reba was past the avid customer to Egypt,” he stated, stating that, for nearly 20 years, she travelled because the resident videographer and all-round organizer of his Egyptian excursions.”
Dr. Crawford stated his spouse was the co-founder, with him, of the tour firm, Sankofa World Excursions.
“Reba beloved Africa, notably, Egypt, Ethiopia and Ghana, as a lot as she beloved life,” he stated. “Lots of Reba’s buddies in Brooklyn and past have skilled the enjoyment she delivered to our expeditions in Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
“Reba not solely managed the excursions but in addition created her personal curriculum of examine as a CUNY/BA pupil at Brooklyn School and past,” added Dr. Crawford, disclosing that she wrote and executed a curriculum of examine in African and non-Western artwork histories.
As an avid pupil of Nile Valley tradition, Dr. Crawford stated she taught about “among the lacking hyperlinks” he missed.
“Our beloved conversed with and arranged tributes for the Who’s Who within the African World: Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Yosef ben Jochannan [Dr. Ben], Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Asa Hillard, Professor Mackey, amongst others,” he stated.
“A famous spotlight of her organizing and videographer’s pursuit was Reba’s admiration and comradery with Randy Weston, one other big of the African World, albeit in music,” he added.
Dr. Crawford stated Ashton-Crawford’s love for jazz “compelled her energies into working tirelessly towards the success of the Jazzy Jazz festivals held at Medgar Evers School.
“Her presence behind the scenes and digicam can be missed by fellow fanatics and attendees,” he stated.
Reba Joyce Ashton-Crawford was born in Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma on Jan. 21,1957 to Simon and Willie Mae Ashton.
Dr. Crawford stated her given title was Reba, which means “the soul of the Creator God.”
“She was the dwelling manifestation of Re and ba,” he stated.
Dr. Crawford stated his spouse left Oklahoma Metropolis throughout her early teenage years for “the Metropolis of Angels—Los Angeles, CA, the place she resided into her maturity of age 33.”
On Jan. 19, 1990, Dr. Crawford stated they met Clinton on a blind date at TGIF in Los Angeles, “and that’s all she wrote.”
Dr. Crawford stated they wedded on Aug. 15, 1992, thereafter making Brooklyn their dwelling for 33 years.
“On Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, we rejoice a real Nubian queen: her spirit, magnificence, grace, poise, and the infinite factors of sunshine she exuded,” he stated.
Dr. Crawford stated the Memorial Tribute can be held, from 2-5 p.m., at Barrett Funeral Providers, 427 Ralph Ave., nook of Ralph and Bergen Streets, Brooklyn.
He stated parking is offered, however seating is proscribed.
“Deliver contemporary fruit or floor meals,” Dr. Crawford stated.
For extra data, name 347-243 6907.
In addition to Dr. Crawford, Ashton-Crawford is survived by her sister Carroll; brothers Jim and Gregory; cousins Althea (“the favored one”); Dwight (“brother and prayer warrior from one other mom”); Quin (her childhood sister good friend) Missy; Paul; and different family members and buddies.
“At present, l declare that my life’s work is to rejoice Reba as a lot as she celebrated me in essentially the most unselfish means,” Dr. Crawford stated. “I’m the luckiest man to have walked on this superb path in addition to Reba. “I like you honey.
“Come be a part of us, as we witness Reba Joyce,” he added. “In Her Personal Phrases, ; Hotep… Ase.’”
