Mrs. Ollie Mae McLemore Crawford was born in Houston, Texas to the late Caddie Bernard McLemore and the late Lilie Mae Wilson McLemore. She received her public-school education at Atherton Elementary and Phyllis Wheatley High School. While in high school, she participated in the Wildcat Drum and Bugle Corp, took piano lessons, and played the B flat saxophone. However, music was not her calling.

Mrs. Crawford received her Bachelor of Arts from Texas College, Tyler with an emphasis in English and Foreign Language. While at Texas College, she met the art instructor and was encouraged to develop her talent in Art. She received her Master of Education from Texas Southern University. It was there, that she studied art under the late John Biggers, Post Graduate Studies were done at East Texas State University, Commerce, Howard University in Washington, D.C. and the University of Houston. She earned her Supervisory Certification at the East Texas State University, Commerce.

"Ms. O", "Ms. OC" and "Ms. C as she is lovingly addressed by many, has contributed much to the Tyler and Smith County Community as a teacher, administrator, and as a member of various civic organizations. Her teaching career began in Smith County at Dixie Colored High School (later named Carver High School). There she was employed as an English Teacher. Later she was instrumental in developing the Art Curriculum and taught English and Art. In 1955, Ollie became the English-Art Teacher at Emmett J. Scott High School in Tyler ISD. The Art Program expanded, and her position became full-time Art Teacher and Photography Club Sponsor. With the integration of the Tyler ISD in 1970. Mrs. Crawford became the Art Instructor at the John Tyler High School. In 1976, she became the first black Coordinator of Visual Arts for Tyler ISD. In 1989, Mrs. Crawford retired having devoted 40 years to public school education. In addition to public school, she taught Art History at Texas College in their Summer School Program.

Mrs. Crawford shared her talents with many civic and religious organizations, painted signs, designed decorations, artistically designed murals, printed calligraphy on many certificates, table tents/signs, banners, Greck emblems, etc. Her passion and willingness to serve her community has dubbed her, "The lady who never said, no!" She said her favorite song, "If I Can Help Somebody" is the motto she lived by:

Mrs. Crawford joined the Miles Chapel CME Church in Houston, where she was very active in the Youth Department. In Miles Chapel CME Tyler- she served as a member of the Trustee Board, Food Committee, Joshua Ministry and the new Miles Chapel Committee. She is a golden life member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. active for 80 years. Ollie has served as 17th Presi-dent, Vice President, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Journalist, Keeper of Properties, Sergeant-at-Arms, Policies and Procedures, Arts and Letters, Heritage and Archives, Housing, Minerva Circle, Founders Day, Presidents Advisory Council, Chapter Delegate, Jr. Debutantes, Sr. Debutantes, Audit, Rituals and Ceremonies, Western, Dance, Heritage Ball, 45 Regional Conventions and 45 National Conventions. Other memberships included: Phi Delta Kappa, NEA, TSTA, National Art Education Association, TASCD, Top Ladies of Distinction, Tyler Museum of Art Board, YMCA Century Club, the Tyler Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority-Past President, East Texas Chapter of Links, Inc., Mrs. Crawford was one of the founders of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter at Texas College. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Tyler Museum of Art. Mrs. Crawford was the designer of the original TLOD "Crown" Logo.

She always believed that God gave her a talent that should be used in helping others.

Her honors and awards include: "Delta of the Year", 1st Trailblazer Award-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Legendary Arts in Excellence Award by Kids Aspiring to Dream, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Meritorious Service-Texas Education Agency, Outstanding Bronze Woman for service to the community in Art, Distinguished Alumni Award-Texas College 1984 and 1991, Certificate of Excellence-National Education Association, Outstanding Service- Camp Fire Girls, Outstanding Service Award and Delta of the Year-Tyler Alumnae Chapter-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Outstanding Woman of the Year-Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Outstanding Texas Educator-1984, Southwest Heritage Archives Committee Award and Certificate of Merit as a Chater Member of Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc,, Ollie Crawford Day at the Texas African Muse-um-Tyler, Juneteenth Queen, Give Me My Flowers to Ollie Crawford, Honored as a Civil Rights Activist by the Texas African American Museum-Tyler. She was "Delta of the Year" 1997and 1998, Life Member of the Texas College National Alumni Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha "Living Legend"

She leaves to cherish her memory: Melaney Herron Kelly (Sean) godchild, Jona Herron (Caregiver and Beloved Friend) and best friends: Shirlene Cook, Audrey Woods, Orenthia Mason; Niece Sandra Bedford.