Bennett James Croy

Bennett James (Benny) Croy, 53, of Salem, Va., went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 28, 2008, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on April 8, 1955, in Bluefield, W.Va., the son of the late Brady Junior Croy and Lillian Quesenberry Croy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Nina Carter Croy. His surviving family are his two brothers, Jimmie Croy, and George Croy and wife, Elaine, both of Salem; five sisters, Geri Croy Winston and husband, Jack, Mary Croy Meador, Carolyn Croy Underwood and husband, Donnie, Barbara Croy Williams and husband, Calvin, all of Salem, and Oveta Croy Gharaibeh, of Roanoke; brothers-in-law and wives, Tommy Carter and wife, Maxine, of Narrows and James Carter and wife, Della, of Roanoke; two sisters-in-law and husbands, Betty Ann Reece and husband, Bobby, of Salem, and Emma Williams and husband, Bryan, of Hampton; stepdaughter, Lashell Fink; granddaughters, Chelsie Fink and Jessica Fink Ransome and husband, Lee; greatgranddaughter, Kaydence Ransome; many nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Bob and Barbara Pollard. Benny was most recently a Ruan driver for 10 years, he drove for Moore's for three years and had his own truck for two years and was a senior driver for Roanoke Restaurant Service for 20 years. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the staff of the sixth floor Lewis-Gale Medical Center, especially Lynn, hospice nurses, Linda and Dee Dee, and special thanks to Dr. Karri. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, at John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem. Services will be held 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2008, in the John M. Oakey Chapel with the Rev. Gary Butcher officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Benny will be remembered by his family and friends as a kind and caring man with a heart of gold.