PHYLLIS CROOM

PHYLLIS MARGARET CROOM  (Age 50)  
On Wednesday, August 30, 2017, Phyllis Margaret Croom, was called home after a lengthy and valiant battle with lung cancer.A veteran of the United States Army, and graduate of Loyola University in Chicago, IL and the University of Maryland, Ms. Croom was an entertainment writer and essayist whose work appeared regularly in publications including The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Washington City Paper, Popmatters.com, Jazz Times and Women in the Life magazine. In her latter years, Ms. Croom focused her creative energies on bringing her passion project to life. In 2015, her vision became a reality when she produced and directed Being Billie: Re-imagining Billie Holiday, a feature-length documentary on the life of the enigmatic jazz icon. A native of Detroit, MI, Ms. Croom spent many years residing in Washington, DC, Chicago and Baltimore, cultivating lasting friendships along the way. Ms. Croom transitioned peacefully in her Baltimore home, surrounded by her sister and closest friends. She is survived by her partner, KC; siblings, Aminatta Blythe, Lorene Higgins, Cynthia Williams, Charles, Grover, Samuel and William (Winsor); a host of nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Studio 4, 231 Holliday Street in Baltimore, MD. In lieu of flowers, tax deductible memorial donations may be made in Phyllis' name to the Children's Defense Fund (childrensdefense.org).