Debra Rae Bosley

My Friend, My Wife and A Loving Mom

Sunrise for Debra Rae Crawford began on March 7, 1952, in Wilmington, Ohio to Raymond Ellsworth Crawford and Anna (Banks) Crawford, and Debra's sunset was on August 18, 2023.

Debra attended Spencerport Public Schools in Spencerport, New York and graduated from Spencerport High School on June 10, 1970. In the fall of 1970, on the campus of Central State University, she met her future husband, Cornell Bosley. Debra majored in Library Science, earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in three years, with a grade point average of 4.0. For her hard work, she was inducted into the National Student Honor Society. Her dedication also garnished the attention of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges being elected for outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Central State University from 1972-1973.

Debra enrolled at Kent State University in the fall of 1973, completing her Master's Of Library Science with a 4.0 GPA in 1974. During her Master studies she also pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Delta Nu Omega chapter and later became a Life (Boule) Member.

After graduation, she accepted a position with the Rochester Public Library System in Rochester, NY. One of Debra's greatest loves was reading, learning and studying about different ancient cultures and beliefs.

On August 2, 1975, Debra married her fiancé, Cornell Bosley, at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Rochester NY. In the fall of 1976, they both took a two-year teaching position on the Island of Guam. While working in the Pacific, Debra and her husband had the opportunity to vacation in Japan visiting Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka cities. Upon returning to the Continental United States, she was employed by Columbus City Schools. With recent memories of island life, she embarked on visiting other islands-Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. In the school year 2004-2005 Debra retired from Columbus City Schools.

As part of service to all, Debra participated in many community services. She worked as a server at Lee Avenue United Methodist Church's "Smashburger's" Community Festival by serving the neighborhood community. As a military officer's wife, she spent time assisting and counseling new wives adjusting to their new and unfamiliar surroundings. If there was a special event or occasion, you can be sure that Debra would send cards whatever the occasion; be it holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries.

It was important to Debra to help our environment become a better place, by recycling materials, such as paper, plastic, aluminum and glass.

Before the days of YouTube, Debbie would visit pet stores and browse the puppies that were up for sale. Not knowing which puppy to choose she always left the store empty-handed. Many years later while going to her car, a little black puppy jumped from underneath her car and ran towards her. After numerous failed attempts to find his owner, she accepted the fact the little puppy was lost and in need of a family. Naming him Cody Cole - along with giving him all the love and protection Cody needed. God saw the goodness in her and stowed upon her to protect one of His many creatures. Upon Cody's passing she began collecting puppy calendars and became a staunch supporter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a member of the Kentucky Humane Society and was a believer and supporter of "No Kill" shelters. Debra believed that all animals should have a second chance for a loving home.

Debra is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Anna B. Crawford; uncle and aunt William G. and Ruth Crawford; aunt Melinda Crawford; grandparents, Arthur and Maude Banks; In-laws, Carnell and Eddie Mae Bosley; and sister-in-law, Orlena Bosley.

Debra leaves behind to mourn her passing, her husband, LTC(R) Cornell Bosley; son, Cornell Alexander Bosley; sisters-in-laws, Tamara Jean Bosley and Deirdre Bosley both of Columbus, OH; cousins, Carolyn (Bruce) Hopkins of Dayton, OH, Teresa Payton of Lexington, KY, George Michael (Tracy) Humes of Waldorf, MD, Cecil Banks of Culpeper, VA, Mary Francis Wilhote of Washington, DC, Stephanie Robinson of Yellow Springs, OH, Kathy Crawford of Springfield, OH, Willmetta Fost of Heath, OH and Erin Alexandria (Najib) Dodds of Cincinnati, OH.

She also leaves behind special friends, Darlene Richardson of Rochester, NY, COL(R) Angela Spraggins McCargo, PhD of Richmond, VA, MSG(R) Pamela Laverne Sheley of Corydon, IN, Marilyn Zimmerman of Columbus, OH, and many AKA Sorors throughout the world.

The love and memory of Debra will live on to be cherished by her husband Cornell and her son Alex.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Lee Avenue United Methodist Church, 1264 Lee Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219, from 9am-10am with a celebration of Debra's life beginning at 10am.

Debra will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery, 3349 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43202.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to ASPCA (https://secure.aspca.org/donate/memorial) or the Kentucky Humane Society, 1000 Lyndon Lane Suite B, Louisville KY 40222, ( https://www.kyhumane.org/donate/) in Debra's memory. By your donation you are allowing and giving an animal a chance to find a forever home.

To leave a special memory of Debra for the family please select the "Share Memories" tab above.