John Chapman Cromley

BROOKLET, Ga. - Mr. John Chapman Cromley, age 89, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility after an illness of over two years. He was a native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County, residing in the Brooklet area. John was the son of the late Estelle Lee and Charles Spurgeon Cromley of Brooklet.
John was a 1937 graduate of Brooklet High School and graduated from the University of Georgia, where he received a degree in Agricultural Economics. He then joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a lieutenant during World War II. He served in the South Pacific from 1942-1945. After completing his naval service, he returned to Brooklet and began his farming career. Mr. Cromley was active in the farming community, holding many leadership positions on local, state and national levels.
Mr. Cromley was also active in the Bulloch County community for many years. He served on boards such as the Bulloch County Board of Education, the Bulloch County Hospital Authority and others. He was a charter member of the Brooklet Kiwanis Club that was organized in 1949, in which he received the George Hixson Award in 2002. Mr. Cromley was also a charter member of Forest Heights Country Club and he was a longtime member of the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank. Mr. Cromley was a member of the Brooklet United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Jack Lee Sunday School Class.
John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rebecca King Cromley of Brooklet; two sons and daughters-in-law, John Lee and Ann Adams Cromley and Charles Spurgeon and Pam Rushing Cromley, all of Brooklet; two daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte and Norman "Bo" Trammell of Fayetteville, Ga., and Becky and Glenn Carter of Hinesville, Ga. Surviving grandchildren are Ashley and Sam Cromley, Mary Catherine, Mollie, John Cromley of Brooklet, Robert and Rebecca Carter of Hinesville, Clay, Beth, Andrew and Rachel Trammell of Fayetteville; one great-grandchild, Maddie Trammell; a sister, Grace Cromley Harper of Atlanta; and longtime family friend, Ollie Mae Campbell.
Visitation will be Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Brooklet United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joel Dent officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jay Williams. The body will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Brooklet City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robert Carter, Clay Trammell, Andrew Trammell, Chap Cromley, Hal Cromley and Billy Tyson.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Brooklet United Methodist Church Building Fund, 201 North Parker Avenue, Brooklet, Ga. 30415; or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, Georgia 30459.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is n charge of arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, July 31, 2009
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