Whether breaking barriers in health care, building family businesses or gathering loved ones around her table, Lauretta Crawley moved through life with uncommon skill and boundless heart, according to those who knew and loved her.

A radiologist guided by her family's pioneering spirit and a strong faith community, Crawley died Nov. 23, 2025, at age 75. She left a lasting mark on Richmond through her innovations in health care and dedication to service.

"Lauretta was a radiant light in our lives — a woman of grace, compassion, and unwavering faith," Crawley's family said in a statement. "Her legacy of love and service will forever live in our hearts."

Crawley was born in Richmond on July 30, 1950, to Altony and Lawrence Cottrell. She grew up in a family of six in the Navy Hill and Church Hill neighborhoods.

The Cottrell family had deep ties to Fifth Street Baptist Church and Richmond's business community, owning the sweet shop Charlie's Confectionary until the construction of Interstate 95 displaced it. They later operated O.B.'s Grill after moving to Church Hill.

In 1968, Crawley graduated from Armstrong High School and later earned an associate degree in radiology from the Medical College of Virginia, where she launched a 20-year professional career.

Crawley was the first African American woman to serve as section chief of radiology at Henrico Doctors' Hospital, where she innovated new X-ray techniques and advanced departmental procedures and helped raise funds for the hospital through charity.

Crawley's impact can also be felt outside health care, as she and her husband owned and operated several Hawk's BBQ & Seafood locations.

"She could cook, could sing like a bird [...] and she loved people," Melvin Crawley Sr., Lauretta's husband of almost 50 years, said during her funeral at United Nations Church on Dec. 4.

Crawley was deeply devoted to her family, welcoming every opportunity to gather, cook and celebrate with them whether it was around the backyard pool or during the holidays.

Crawley also sang and worshipped at Jerusalem Holy Church and was a member of Faith Landmarks, St. Paul's Baptist Church and Tabernacle of Deliverance as well as United Nations Church.

Crawley was preceded in death by her parents, brother Oliver Tomlin, and sisters Dolores Pollard and Barbara Washington.

She is survived by her husband; children Cynthia McCall Crawley, Melvin Crawley Jr. and India Crawley; children-in-law Sabrina Crawley and William Hall; and grandchildren Melvin Crawley III and William Jerod Crawley-Hall III as well as other family and friends.

"If you were to take the words peace, power, elegance, inspiration and wrap that in a human being, that's my mother," Melvin Crawley Jr. said during the funeral.