Amelia Kennard Wright Croft

1916 - 2016

Amelia Kennard Wright Croft

Greenville

Amelia Kennard Wright Croft was born July 28, 1916 in Easton, Maryland and passed away October, 19, 2016 in Birmingham, Alabama.

She was the daughter of Philemon Kennard Wright and Mary Lockwood Hardcastle. Mrs. Croft graduated from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia in 1937 with a psychology degree. Upon the suggestion of a psychology professor, she attended the two year graduate program at Smith College in social work and graduated with her MSW in 1939. She did not originally plan to devote 35 years to social work. When she left for college, she did not even know the term "social work". She wanted to be a doctor; however, medicine was an uncommon occupation for women during those early years.

Mrs. Croft began her 35 years of advocating for children in Providence, Rhode Island. She continued in social work after moving to Greenville in 1948 with her husband, Randell DeBohun Croft. Mrs. Croft's career included positions at The Department of Mental Health and The Department of Social Services (DSS), with the majority of her career serving as Director of Family services, until her retirement in 1986. Her proudest professional achievement was helping to establish The Battered Women's Shelter in Greenville County.

As a member of St. James Episcopal Church for 55 years, Mrs. Croft served as its female Vestry member. In addition, she was a member of Daughters of the King and held statewide office in ECW.

Although both her profession and her church played a large role in her life, her family was of upmost interest and importance to her - not only her immediate family, but dozens of cousins on both sides of the family.

Mrs. Croft was the "number one fan" of her beloved Braves, leaving scores of notebooks in which she had recorded the game stats of each player. She followed the Braves from Boston, to Milwaukee, and finally to Atlanta. As she watched baseball, she constantly was knitting hats for the children of Safe Harbor.

Mrs. Croft was predeceased by her husband, Randell DeBohun Croft and her son, Randell DeBohun Croft, III. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Ann Daniel Croft, of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Mary Croft Alley, of Charlotte, NC; son, Thomas Denison Croft (Beth), of Greenville, SC; son, Philemon Kennard Croft (Rose Ann), of Birmingham, Alabama; nine grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

An 11:00am Internment Service at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken, SC will be conducted by The Rev. Dr. Harrison McLeod on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. There will be a Memorial Service at Markley Chapel, Christ Episcopal Church, Greenville, SC on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 11:00am, conducted by The Rev. Dr. Harrison McLeod.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Miracle Hill Ministries, Shepherd's Gate, 11 Regency Hill Drive, Greenville, SC 29607.