Bertha Lee Crocker

Bertha Lee Lawrence Crocker answered her call to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 10:35 a.m. in Sentara Obici Hospital. Mrs. Crocker was born to Thad and Effie Elizabeth Lawrence. She is predeceased by her three brothers, Jesse Lawrence, Calvin Lawrence, and Thaddeus Lawrence. She was a faithful and devoted member of Poplar Run Baptist Church for 80+ years. She also accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 12 years old in 1934. As years went by her church affiliations included member of the choir of which she loved singing alto. She was a member of the Sunday School Class, The Missionary Circle, Pastors Aid, Woman's Day Committees and other activities of the church. She was known to be an expert cake cutter.  Mrs. Crocker received her education at the Poplar Run School, Nansemond Institute, and was a 1941 graduate of East Suffolk High School. She later matriculated to Virginia State College (now University) and graduated from South Carolina State College (now University) with a degree in home economics. After graduation she taught at Gresham Grade School from 1946-1948. In 1948 she gained employment at  the East Suffolk High School as a home economics teacher, she remained there for 17 years. In 1950 sister Crocker met and married George W. Crocker where out of that union was born a son George W. Crocker, Jr. She had a bond for her students in many ways from instructing to traveling to other schools for Home Economics demonstrations. She remained at East Suffolk until the school became a middle school in 1965. In 1965 she moved from East Suffolk High School to John F. Kennedy High School where she remained until her retirement in 1985. Her love for school and students made her continue as a substitute teacher for years later. Mrs. Crocker's social affiliations included member of the Chums Club, The Nansemond Chapter 31 order of Eastern Star, member of the Zeta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., District retired teachers. She also served as a board member of Meals on Wheels for 20 years. She served on the Commission in 1976 and was a poll worker at a voter prescient. She was a recipient of many accolades and awards over the years. She was also an avid sports fan partially Girls' basketball. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, George W. Crocker, Jr.; sister, Mary Blanche Bess; brother, Tommie Lawrence, Sr.; sister-in-law, Irene Lawrence; godchildren; Elaine Green, Robert Jackson, and Clinton Copeland; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A visitation will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2018, in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. An Ivy Beyond the Wall ceremony will be from 4 to 5 p.m. A celebration of life will be held 1:oo p.m. Monday, January 7, 2019 at Poplar Run Baptist Church,5330 Bennett's Pasture Road, Suffolk. Pastor James Williams, Jr will deliver the message of comfort. She will be laid to rest in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bertha Lee Crocker, please visit our flower store.