Memphian Kayla Crawford emerges as a sentimental candidate for U of M degree amid her sister’s death

To her credit, Kayla Crawford tried the best she could to retain and exemplify a positive disposition.

Then suddenly, she had ultimately come to grips with the fact that, well, she is human, after all.

“I’m just taking it day by day,” Crawford, during a weekend interview with Making Headline News, said while recalling what undoubtedly had been a brutally hectic and emotional week for her and her family. “I hate this is happening a week before I graduate. I’m supposed to be happy right now, but I find myself crying every minute. I’m praying that God helps me and the family through this situation.”

For Crawford and her family, it was, by all accounts, a situation that had begun with them praying fervently for a miracle surrounding her big sister, Danielle Crawford, to one that will undoubtedly leave them clinging to and cherishing her awe-inspiring legacy for years to come.

Having been hampered by an assortment of physical challenges in recent years, Danielle Crawford’s bid to garner a much-needed heart transplant fell short on Saturday morning as she passed away at Memphis’ Baptist East Hospital.

She was 35.

At the time of the release of this story, funeral arrangements for Danielle Crawford were incomplete.

For Kayla Crawford, 23, that her eldest sibling’s life was cut short approximately one week before her graduation from the University of Memphis essentially has given way to a wave of emotions in what has, in many aspects, been a banner year, of sorts, for the 2013 Memphis Kirby High graduate.

Not only will Kayla become the third member of her family to earn an undergraduate degree from the U of M while accompanying a cumulative overall grade point average of 3.25, but earlier this year, she had become the second member of her family to join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the African-American women’s flagship Greek organization that was founded at Howard University in 1908.

Kayla’s cousin, Mariah Johnson, who recently graduated from Rust College, pledged the same sorority at the Holly Springs, Mississippi-based institution a few weeks earlier.

As for her forthcoming college graduation, Kayla doesn’t shy away from the notion that while she and her family will bid farewell to her sister during a memorial service in the coming days, seizing the golden opportunity to participate in her college’s commencement exercises would culminate what has surely been a challenging, yet rewarding college experience.

Then again, she knows full well that Danielle would have wanted her to assume her rightful place on center stage at FedExForum to receive what is widely regarded as higher education’s most covenant award.

“Danielle always wanted me to live a better life than her,” Kayla said. “She always told me to make better choices than she did. So, I will continue to live out her legacy by going back to school in the future because she wanted me to get many degrees.”

Interestingly, once her undergraduate tenure effectively comes to an end this weekend, amongst the things for which Kayla senses she will be responsible is serving as a role model to her sister’s children, who will continue to be raised in the custodial care of her parents, Darryl and Evelyn Crawford.

“I want to be the best aunt to her children and pick up the pieces where she left off on raising them,” said Kayla, adding that her boyfriend, LaDarrius Goodman, has had an immeasurable impact of her educational endeavors since she made the transition from high school to college five years ago. “Danielle always encouraged me to keep pushing to believe in myself and trust God through any and everything. I love her and pray to be with her again one day.”

Prior to enrolling at the U of M, Tennessee State University and UT-Martin were the other four-year colleges to which Kayla had given serious consideration.

Fortunately for her, it seems that staying put in the Bluff City to advance her education has benefited her mightily, Kayla’s mother acknowledged.

 “I’m very proud of Kayla for graduating high school with a high GPA,” Evelyn Crawford said. “Because of that, she earned a full ride scholarship to college. Although every day wasn’t easy, Kayla stuck it through thick and thin. She has always been a Christian young lady with a strong mind, always ready to learn and go after what she wants. As she receives this degree, I know God has more in store for her.”

All of which practically sums up why when the very moment Kayla’s name is called to shake the hand of U of M president Dr. M. David Rudd to receive her diploma, there likely won’t be a dry eye in place.

Only scattered tears of joy and sadness and pure jubilation. In no particular order.

“My heart will be filled with tears and joy when I hear Kayla’s name being called,” Evelyn Crawford said. “(What will be) going through my mind is, ‘My baby has finally made it and is growing on up.’”

Chances are, Danielle will emerge from her heavenly post, peep her head out through the clouds, then echo such sentiments, something Kayla fully welcomes.

“She really fought hard for her life, because she wanted to see me walk that stage,” Kayla said of her big sister whom, comes this weekend, will surely have arguably the best seat in the house.

A seat that’s housed in a heavenly place — a place to which we’re all striving diligently to go.

CONNECT WITH THIS AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST FOR MEDIA EXPOSURE