GEORGE CROCKER SR.

On Sunday, December 7, 2014, God dispatched His angels to Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, Va., with the command to escort the soul of Deacon George Crocker Sr. into the Heavenly realm.

Upon his arrival, Deacon Crocker was welcomed with open arms by his parents, James and Mary Alice Crocker; four brothers, the Reverend Melvin Crocker Sr., Reverend Samuel Crocker Sr., Edward Crocker, and Raymond Crocker; four sisters, Alice Mae Crocker, Jewel Redd, Barbara Anne Brooks and Jacquelin Pegram, and numerous other relatives. Having been born and raised on the Historic Pocahontas Island on August 24, 1932, Deacon Crocker accepted Christ into his life at a very early age. He studied to "show himself approved" and graduated from the Peabody High School. In later years, he also undertook further study at the Richard Bland College and the Virginia Seminary in Lynchburg, Va.

As a Christian family man, he married the former Nancy Cooley and from this union, four beautiful children were born: Wayne Marcus (Sabrina), Karen Yvette (Kerkwood), George Jr. (Sharlene) and Timothy Frederick (deceased). His offspring proudly gave to him, seven grandchildren who were the "apples of his eye," Kershawn Gray, Shannon Sanderlin (Naron), Karena Gray, Courtney Crocker, Alexandra Crocker, Brianna Raymond, and Christopher Crocker, along with two great grandchildren, Kadence and Cherish.

In addition to his devoted wife, Deaconess Nancy Crocker; his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Deacon Crocker is survived by his remaining siblings, Trustee James Crocker Jr., Deacon Ronald Crocker (Charlene), Alphonso Crocker (Christine), Michael Crocker (friend, Dee), Deaconess Sarah Smith (Douglas) and Vanessa Crocker; sisters-in-law, Anita Crocker, Ethel Crocker and Vivian Crocker; also his godchildren and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Deacon Crocker was an industrious and resourceful individual, who was not afraid of hard work for he "toiled by the sweat of his brow" as a former employee of Titmus Optical Company, he later advanced to 35 years of employment with the United States Postal Service, first as a Mail Clerk then advancing to a Finance Clerk and later becoming the Station Manager of the Post Office in Ettrick, Va., from where he eventually retired.

In addition to secular work and probably most importantly to him, Deacon Crocker made service to the Lord his true life's' work. As a faithful member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, he seldom missed traveling to attend any of the national conventions and he served in many of the churches ministries to include: Chairman of the Deacons Ministry for 30 years and most recently appointed as Co-Chair; Church Treasurer for over 40 years; member of the Finance Committee for 43 years, an original charter member of the Men's Fellowship, Boy Scout worker, former Sunday School Superintendent; former Acting Administrator of the day care center; Past President of the Senior Choir and for the past eight years, President of the Senior Citizens Ministry in collaboration with the City of Petersburg Parks and Leisure Services.

The Man of God served under five pastors which included: Rev. Frederick Jacob Boddie; Rev. Dr. Alexander Lincoln James Jr., Rev. James Jemerson (interim), Rev. Dr. Albert L. Gee and currently Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr. During the time when the church was without pastoral leadership, as the Chairman of the Pastoral Search Committee, he saw to it that the Sunday morning worship experience continued on in "good weather as well as bad weather."

As a Layman Christian leader, Deacon Crocker also affiliated and held leadership within many other organizations which included: The Sunday School Department of the Unified Shiloh Baptist Association; Trustee of the Children's Home of Virginia Baptist; Trustee of the Virginia Seminary and College (now the University of Lynchburg), the Baptist State Laymen League, and the Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress of Virginia where he served as Past President for several years until his term expired August 2014, Deacon Crocker led the Congress to gather at Virginia State University for its annual convention.

As a citizen of the community, he received many recognitions from social, civic and fraternal organizations among them: he was selected as a "Community Gem" by the Alease Cooley Memorial Tent; recipient of the Alpha Phi Alpha Martin Luther King Award for religious leadership; and the Allen, Allen, Allen, and Allen Law Firm "Heroes Award."

One of Deacon Crocker favorite scripture was Psalm 90, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, even thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting though art God."

Surely every boy, girl, man, woman, child or stranger who crossed his path experienced the Love of God.

Services for Deacon George Crocker Sr. will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2014, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 418 Halifax Street, Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs Sr., pastor, eulogist. The interment will follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

A Christian wake will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2014, at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 418 Halifax Street, Petersburg, Va., "Bridging the Gap" Building Fund or to the Petersburg Library Foundation in memory of Deacon George Crocker Sr.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Deacon Crocker at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.