Dr. Lois Zimmerman

Crooke

1932-2016

Dr. Lois Zimmerman Crooke passed away peacefully at home on January 12, 2016 in Gulf Breeze, FL surrounded by her family and overlooking Pensacola Bay.

Lois was born in Lewisburg, WV to Frank Hubert and Mary Ruth Zimmerman. She was the sixth child in a family of eight children. She graduated Valedictorian at Greenbrier School for Girls, Valedictorian at Greenbrier College, and Valedictorian at Weber College. She received her Master's degree from the University of Florida and a Doctorate of Education from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Crooke was a professor in the Business department at Pensacola Junior College for 36 years. She was passionate about education and loved her students.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Dr. Charles Olaf Crooke, "Charlie"; her adored daughters, Cheryl Anne Crooke Ridgway and Jeanne Marie Crooke; her beloved son-in-law, Keith Stratman Ridgway; four grandchildren and one grand-son-in-law, Sarah Kathryn (Ridgway) Mulligan and her husband, Iain Jeffrey Mulligan, Shaun Alexandra Ridgway, Charles Lee Prendergast, and Jason Andrew Prendergast. She was blessed with two loving and wonderful extended families of Zimmerman's and Crooke's.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7pm on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, FL.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Hwy., Pensacola, FL, with Rev. W. Charles Webster officiating.

Active Pallbearers will be: Keith Ridgway, Shaun Ridgway, Charlie Prendergast, Jason Prendergast, Iain Mulligan, and Jonathan Carroll.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospices, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL, 32504.

Our family would like to thank the staff of Gulf Breeze Hospital and Covenant Hospice, Dr. Marta Jacenyik, Dr. Lowery, and their staff.

Lois, Mom and Grandmama- We love you. We miss you and we will see you again. Enjoy your endless, barefoot summer. And save us some blue crabs for when we get there.

Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Pensacola News Journal from Jan. 14 to Jan. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Lois Crooke

17 Entries

shirley Whitehead

February 8, 2017

Dr. Crooke, I never met your wife, but having you for my dentist and knowing what kind of man you are, there HAD to be a saint of a woman behind you. It's been a while now, but you are still in my prayers and thoughts.

jeanne crooke

January 24, 2016

Love you Mother I will miss you everyday!My life has been by your side for so long that I'm lost without my best friend! I hope your watching over Dad and us from heaven feeling the love we shared. Love you forever and always. jeanne

Kendra Kingsley

January 22, 2016

Sorry for your loss

ruth dennis beckie susan craig jernigan

January 17, 2016

Sorry for your lose Dr. Crooke you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Keith Ridgway

January 16, 2016

In 1971 John Denver released a song called Country Roads. It starts like this

Almost heaven, West Virginia,
Blue ridge mountain, Shenandoah river,

I didn't realize at the time that song would always remind me of my mother-in-law.

You see, Lois Crooke (aka Grandmother) grew up in West Virginia. She moved to Pensacola back in the 50s and married a devout beachcomber named Charlie Crooke. Over all these years, she's never lost her love of the mountains and they rooted her and helped shape who she was.

Grandmother was a teacher all of her life. She earned her Ph.D, and when I met her she was a professor at PJC. She was a pioneer and she broke through some of the glass ceilings that existed at the time. She taught for 36 years college students, mothers returning to the workforce, fathers retooling their skills, and veterans of all ages looking to return to civilian life.

I remember at Cheryl's and my wedding reception, she and Granddaddy opened up their home to all of the wedding guests. We had a blue grass band playing in the back yard of their home in Gulf Breeze. In true West Virginia fashion, Grandmother kicked off her shoes and told all the guests to enjoy themselves. I can still hear the laughter and the music if I close my eyes.

On that day, I was delighted to find that as I married into the Crooke clan I now had two families to call my own. There was just ONE thing about getting married I must admit I was a little nervous about having a mother-in-law. Just saying the word mother-in-law can conjure up all kinds of images

However, Grandmother showed me by her actions, that mother-in-law wasn't a four-letter word, but simply a four-syllable word. She opened up her heart and welcomed me with joy into the family.

Over the years I watched, as Grandmother worked tirelessly to insure every person who stepped through the door was made to feel welcome and special.

When Grandmother first came to visit Cheryl and me in Huntsville Alabama, she saw the rolling hills of northern Alabama. She remarked almost immediately that the mountains reminded her of West Virginia. Later, when we moved to Atlanta, and she saw the north Georgia foothills of the Appalachians. She again exclaimed that it looked almost like West Virginia. While she loved having the sand between her toes and the ocean breeze across her face, the love of the mountains never left her.

Fast forward to nineteen years ago. It started out as an ordinary daynothing special. Granddaddy had gone to work and Grandmother was working in the house. Granddad decided to come home for lunch and he found Grandmother unconscious on the floor. She had been stricken with meningitis. Cheryl and I were told to come home immediately to Florida. We were warned that she probably wouldn't be there by the time we got home. Cheryl, Granddad and I slept on the floor of the hospital that night praying for a miracle.

We were indeed granted a miracle when she finally awoke from the coma 21 days later. I watched my father-in-law from that day forward insure that every day he spent with Grandmother was special. He cherished each moment, every hour, of every day with her.

Over these past years, Grandmother has gotten to see her four grandchildren grow into men and women. She's loved each one of them as her own children.

Grandmother never stopped teaching. She and Granddaddy have continued to teach us how to grow old with grace and love. And now she has taught us how to die with dignity. Grandmother died peacefully and without pain in her sleep with three generations of family gathered around her bedside. I can't think of a better way to depart this world and move onto the next.

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,

Grandmother, farewell for now. You are on a new country road. You are home, where you belong. You are with God.

Lt. Col. Michael H. Sarra, U.S.A.

January 16, 2016

I was a student of Dr. Crooke in the 60's when the College was PJC. She was an excellent professor and was always encouraging and always helpful. Our deepest condolences to the Crooke family. At this time of great sorrow may you be comforted by hope, strengthened by faith and guided by the warm thoughts of others through the difficult days ahead.

Cindy Gudinas (Hagensick)

January 15, 2016

Cousin Charlie, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for healing strength

Mac McLeod

January 15, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mattie & Bill Miller

January 15, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Crooke family in this time of loss. Mattie has great memories of Dr. Lois Crooke as an instructor at PJC.

Keith Bell

January 15, 2016

Charlie, my thoughts and prayers go out to you as you are going through this difficult time. You have been such a great husband over the years, hanging tough through the good and bad. No matter the situation I will always remember that smile on your face every time I've seen you. You are a great guy turning me into an offshore fisherman at an early age. Watching you and George laugh as I lean over the side of the boat calling "ralph" will always be remembered. I know how well you took care of Lois, and like I said---what a great husband! Kindest Regards, Keith

January 15, 2016

Dr. Crooke I am so sorry to hear of the deat of your wife. I would like to bring Burney but he is not able to come. My sympathy and prayers to you and your famiy.
Jean Brown and Family

January 14, 2016

Dr. Crooke was instrumental in my career choice...and I chose to follow in her footsteps. I also retired from PJC (PSC) after 35 years. She has held a place in my heart since 1970, and I am indebted to her for giving me the guidance and strength to be the best teacher I could be. Thanks, LZC...until we meet again.

Stacy Balthrop Flood

January 14, 2016

All our love, acroos the miles, to the entire Crooke family; Great neighbors and friends. Our hearts are with you during this difficult time.
All the Balthrops

Roberta Loy

January 14, 2016

Dr. Crooke and family. We are sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers. Bill and Roberta Loy

Joyce (Kennedy) Kehoe

January 14, 2016

Many years ago, I was fortunate to have Dr. Crooke as an instructor at PJC, before it was PSC. She was a skilled teacher who cared about her students and taught lessons that led to many successful careers. I'm sorry to hear of her passing and want her family to know she made a positive difference in many lives.

Shirley Whitehead

January 14, 2016

My condolences to Dr. Crooke and family for the loss of your beloved wife & mother. My prayers are with you.

Judy Mask

January 14, 2016

Dr. Crooke and family,

I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you.
Charlie, I sure do miss you being my dentist.

Judy Holmes Mask

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