Delia Crowley was the daughter of Jim Yates and Mollie Nevins. She had one brother, Alvin and one sister, Cecil. She was a devoted daughter and sister and wife. Delia married J.E. (Eddie) Crowley in or about 1905. "Miss Dellie", as she was called by most everyone, bore no children of her own, UNDER her heart, in the usual manner....instead, she wore the banner of Mother IN her heart. She cared not what color they were or what their circumstances. She only knew that no one else wanted them, so she did. She took into her heart and her home to raise... two unwanted, sick babies, one black, that she and her husband raised from age 6 weeks to 16 years and then later, one white...me...They took me in when I was 22 months old after reading articles in the newspaper about how my Daddy had just died with T.B. and my birth Mother was going to have to spend many months in a T.B. hospital and would anyone take me? I also had the disease and doctors didn't think I would survive.
My birth Mother received her treatment and came home in about nine months. She picked up her other two children but has told me since that she was not well enough to take me back because I was so young and she was too weak. She married and had a child the next year but I was lucky enough to live in the Crowley home with no one wanting me back...and I had the Crowley's love until cancer was taking "Mommee" away when I was about seven years old. Mommee and Eddie, as they had us call them, changed our lives forever...little Bettye Jo and me.. I have read so many letters that Bettye Jo, the other little girl they raised wrote to Eddie after she was an adult and they were full of nothing but love and gratitude and regret that she couldn't have had their love longer.
God must have a special place for Angels such as this who protect and love little children. Mommee, I will treasure your love and your caring, sharing and love of children for as long as I live. You were so good to me. I only wish you could have lived longer so that I could remember you more. I do remember that you always were....A MOTHER to me. God Bless and keep you for that. It will never be forgotten. You were really the only Mother I ever knew. I miss you and can't wait to see you again. With all the love in the world,
Candy Crowley
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