Joan H. (Crawford) Woodson

Joan Hannah (Crawford) Woodson, peacefully passed away on Sunday, May 5th, at the age of 83 in Smithfield, RI.  She was born in Washington DC, daughter of the late Hannah Lee (Gaines) Crawford and Ralph D. Crawford Sr. on May 25, 1940.

Joan spent all of her life providing help, service and guidance to others.  After high school she studied nursing and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.  There she met her future husband, Calvin Arthur Woodson.  They fell in love, married and moved to Gladstone Street, Providence.  Upon moving to RI, she continued her nursing career at the formerly known, Providence Lying-In Hospital.  There she worked in the nursery, caring for newborns.  In October of 1968, their son Thomas was born.  She left nursing in the mid-seventies due to a job related injury.  Joan continued her service to others through community involvement.  She served as PTA president at the former Lexington Avenue School (Providence) and was a campaign volunteer for the former South Providence Councilman Lloyd T. Griffin Jr.  She also volunteered as a reading tutor for an afterschool program at the South Providence Boys Club.  Joan also helped with the organization of the building of a playground on the corner of Baxter Street and Norwich Avenue in South Providence.  She developed many long lasting friendships within the community through the years.  Joan provided positive conversation, counseling and advice to anyone who would receive it.  She liked anyone who she met and would spiritually embrace them.

Joan is survived by her son Thomas Edward Woodson and his wife Halona Simona Woodson who currently live in Mebane, NC.  She has 3 grandchildren Demishia, Nicolas and Porsché along with 2 great grandchildren Carter and Nasir.  She has one brother, Ralph D. Crawford Jr. of Azusa, CA.  She will be missed by her numerous family and friends that have come into her life throughout the years. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan H. (Crawford) Woodson, please visit our floral store.