Bettye Elizabeth Crawford of Glen Burnie, Maryland, departed this life on June 23, 2012, at the age of 68. Bettye Elizabeth Cheathem was born on January 11, 1944, to the late Sylvia and Emmanuel Witherspoon, Sr., in Baltimore, Maryland. Soon after graduating from Southern High School, she married James A. McCracken, Jr., producing three wonderful daughters. Bettye attended Baltimore City Community College, graduating with a certificate in nursing. Bettye dutifully served as a dedicated Licensed Practice Nurse at Mercy Medical Center for more than 20 years. She later remarried Alvin Crawford on July 15, 2012. Bettye enjoyed life and laughter but dedication to her family was her true live. She embraced her role as the true matriarch and was in her element at family gatherings, cooking and making sure everyone was taken care of. She absolutely loved her role as "Nana adoring and doting on all of her grandchildren. She had a gracious heart and a soft spot for any and all that were in need, opening her home to many. She has always cared about people, as well as the rights of people. She is proud to have participated i the march on Washington during the civil rights movement. Though warm and loving, she was also fearless and would vow to "take you down" in a second, all 90 pounds of her, earning the nickname "Gangster Grandma"". Her husband Alvin Crawford survives her; her three children, Michelle McCracken-Brown, Vanessa Coleman, and Chevelle McCraken; grandchildren, Shanae Brockington, Ivan Lewis, William and Jazmin Beal; great-grandchildren, Chanell Lewis, Samuel Jacob Lewis, and Adrienne Cooper; parents, the late Sylvia and Emmanuel Witherspoon, Sr.; grandparents, the late Emma Lester; siblings, the late Patrician Hearn, the late Brenda Birden, Emmanuel Witherspoon, Jr., Reginald Witherspoon, and Cynthia Gross and a host of in-laws-, nieces, nephews, and cousins.