Evelyn Crooke
June 21, 1918 ~ February 16, 2020
Bessie Evelyn Crooke, 101, formerly of Danville died February 16, 2020 in Lawrenceburg, her hometown. Born June 21, 1918, she was the daughter of the late James H. and Ollie McGaughey Crook. She was a graduate of Kavanaugh High School in Lawrenceburg and graduated from Georgetown College with honors. Evelyn was a member of Lexington Avenue Baptist Church where she served as a Deacon. She worked for several years as a teacher’s aide at Jennie Rogers Elementary School. She spent most of her work life in churches in Fort Worth, Texas, Meridian, Mississippi and retired from Lexington Avenue Baptist Church, Danville. She was predeceased by her brothers, Robert Crook and Silas Crook and her sisters, Oneta Cogswell, Sally Shely and Frona Billeter.
Evelyn is survived by several nieces and nephews, Evelyn Matherly of Harrodsburg, Dixie (Tony) Beasley of Salvisa, Gilbert “Bud” (Phyllis) Shely Jr. of Lawrenceburg, Oneta Brandenburg of Holly Springs, NC, Dee Johnston of Winchester, Va., Beverly McGee of Indiana and Mark Crook of Colorado; many great nieces and nephews including Vicki (Larry) Smith of Frankfort, Melissa Woods of Lawrenceburg, Patti (John) Rhea of Frankfort, Kathleen Luttrell of Harrodsburg and Tommy Drury of Lexington.
The funeral service will be 1 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2020 at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. Tommy Valentine and Rev. Basil Hall will officiate. Burial will be at 4 p.m. at the Lawrenceburg Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Nate Rhea, John Rhea, Larry Smith, Ryan Smith Robert Ribeca and George Smith. Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Friday prior to the service. Memorial donations are suggested to Lexington Avenue Baptist Church.
Visitation: 12 - 1 p.m., Friday prior to the service at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church
Funeral Service: 1 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2020 at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church.
Burial: 4 p.m. at the Lawrenceburg Cemetery
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Dear Evelyn, You were part of my family for over fifty years. You lived above my grandparents and later next to my mother, Rosemary hamblin. You made wonderful haystacks, knew everyone and everything about my family. We shared many laughs, played games and had many meals together. You will be dearly missed.
Our deepest sympathy.
Evelyn and I had over 50 years of friendship; she was an inspiration to me and all others with whom she came into contact.
Aunt Evelyn, thank you for showing us the importance of family and our heritage by organizing the reunions. Though never married, you had the largest family of all! Your example of selfless giving did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Now you are eternally reunited with your parents, brothers, sisters, and so many nieces, nephews, and friends, and have heard Him say to you face to face, \”Well done…\” You are loved and will be missed- \’til we all get to heaven!
GOD bless, really a nice lady
Such a sweet lady!
Ms Crooke was my first SS teacher at Lexington Ave.She set the example everyday.She was a pillar at LABC. She always wore a smile and was much loved.My thoughts and Prayers are with her family.Ms Crooke,I will see you again.
Though I never met Evelyn in person, her fame as an anchor for her family and community was often mentioned during visits to the Indiana Crooks and among those Crooks that moved further west. Over 10 to 15 years, every reunion year, I would get an invitation email with the particulars and a short personal update about what was going on in her life. There was no doubt that I would eventually come to Kentucky to say hi to her. Wish I had done it sooner, but life does not always cooperate. She was an inspiration to me and many many others. She will be missed.