Bro. Johnnie Lee Crocker

The Celebration of Life service for Brother Johnnie L. Crocker, age 96, was held at the Sand Prairie Baptist Church in Normangee, Texas on February 2, 2017. Bros. Larry Andrews, Olan Weaver & Fred Morrow officiated and interment followed in the Willowhole Cemetery.

Brother Crocker pastored the Sand Prairie Baptist Church for approximately 47 years. To his delight, he led services in his beloved church the day prior to his death. He was born October 16, 1920 in the Oak Grove Community, Madison County, Texas and went to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on January 30, 2017.

Brother Crocker was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army from 1942 to 1945 in both Africa and Italy. He proudly was a distinguished member of the Greatest Generation.

After the war, he was employed as a heavy equipment operator building roads. In 1952, he surrendered to God's calling him to preach and was ordained as a minister of the gospel. He then followed Apostle Paul's example, courageously and faithfully serving as a bi-vocational preacher. Throughout his ministry, he not only worked in the road construction industry, he later owned his own business pouring concrete and striping parking lots, in which he actively continued until age 92. He lived a hard-working frugal life, pastoring numerous churches. Brother Crocker was dedicated to God, his family, his fellow man and his work.

He was truly a firm, loving and compassionate man of God, who witnessed to and mentored many people, that led to their salvation and led some into the ministry to carry on his life's mission, spreading the Gospel. He was recognized as a master gardener who maintained a large garden year around and joyfully gave most of the produce away. His other outside passion was fishing and treating his family, church members and others with delicious fish fries.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents, John D. & Violet (Phallen) Crocker; wife, Mattie Crocker; sons, Jerry Crocker & Royce Hudson; grandsons, Tim & Bill Hudson and brothers, JD., Jack, Otis, Clifton & James. Surviving family members include daughters, Joyce M. Coleman (Jay C.) of North Zulch and Judy Nickerson (Vance) of Gladewater; daughters-in-law, Erin Crocker of Crowley and Myda Hudson of Rancho Cordova, CA; sister, Winnie Fay Gunnels of Huntsville and grandchildren, Bob Hudson, Dan Hudson, Erin Coble, Amy Barzyk, Jeri Lyn Crocker, Troy Coleman, Lezli Montoya & Kristen Tyson. Johnnie is also survived by numerous great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers were Don Austin, Dean Lewis, Ivan Linebaugh, Fred Gilley, Lew Plotts & Ronnie Nickerson. Honorary pallbearers will be Ferney Lord, Randy Musgrove, John Douga, Charlie Rhodes, John Davidson, Tim Chisholm & T.J. Douga.

The family would like to thank each and everyone for their love, prayers, cards, food and support during this time of their loss and Heaven's gain.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Bro. Johnnie Crocker requests that memorial donations be made to the Sand Prairie Baptist Church.

Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas was in charge of all arrangements.