Patricia Louise Crook

The Lord welcomed one of His own to Heaven on Sunday, September 29, 2024. Patricia Louise Crook (her friends called her Patsy) was born on February 25, 1935, in North Augusta, South Carolina to George and Hazel Baxley. She was also a beloved sister to her three siblings George Jr. (Junior), Elizabeth (Liz) and Tillman.

God blessed Patsy with nearly 9 decades of a beautiful life! Her life’s calling was to be a wife and a mother. She and her beloved Furman were married on August 26, 1952. They had 69 years of marriage when Furman made his entrance into Heaven.

Patsy pressed on for 41 months after her Vern (her name for her Furman) passed. These were both difficult and happy days as her family loved and supported her. Patsy was a woman of deep faith and had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Every day she prayed and read the Bible. She loved listening to worship music, reading devotional books, and watching some of her favorite Bible teachers on TV. Her faith sustained her in the days after her Vern passed.

Second to her love for God was her love for her family. She had 6 children who called her Mama. There has never been a more devoted mother than Patsy Crook. Her children rise up and call her blessed (Proverbs 31:28). Thomas, Randal, Rhonda, William, Scott, and Jeff were the most blessed children to have her as a mama. She managed the home while Furman worked hard to provide for their family. There was never a time when one of her children walked into the home without the biggest smile and hug from their mama. She was even a mama to the friends they brought home.

Her children grew up and brought their spouses home. The beautiful marriage of Vern and Pat gave an example to them, and they all strived to model the love of their parents. She became a mama to her children’s mates. The love Patsy had for Nelda, Laurie, Joey, René, Karen, and Becky was heartfelt and special. Her children gave her grandchildren, then there were great-grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren, numbering 39, and all were loved by their Grandma. She knew all of their birthdays by memory.

Furman and Patsy lived for 61 years in the Crook home-place in Jacksonville, FL. a humble home that was full of laughter, love, good food, birthday parties, July 4th BBQ’s (cooking the hog on the open fire pit all night), Thanksgiving feasts, and Christmas gatherings. Patsy was the heart of every single gathering. She and Vern were a team in the kitchen, and they fed hundreds of their friends; though their house was small, their hearts were bigger!

Patsy loved her back porch with all the windows and seemed to know every bird that would fly near for a visit. She inherited a love of flowers from her Mama and passed her passion for her yard on to all her children. She loved to read and was always clipping recipes, articles, and many other interesting things to share with family and friends. She loved Cracker Barrel, watching old movies, visiting old friends, her baby brother Tillman & Ann, her backyard neighbor Mrs. Pat, her favorite Starbucks drink, and jewelry (especially watches). She had the special ability to relish every moment and could later describe it with such color and detail.

Patsy had a sharp mind and a playful wit. She did not meet a stranger, and everyone who knew her loved her. Including the precious caregivers Anna & Michelle, who God sent to help her and our family over the last 9 months. She loved them so! She had no enemies and was a woman of prayer who daily lifted to God too many names to count.

In the 41 months after her “Vern” went to Heaven, Patsy was brave and did her best. She was a strong woman who endured many setbacks and refused to quit. Her desire was to finish well and to leave this world for Heaven from the place she called home for the last 61 years. On Friday, September 20, she was able to talk to all of her six children, and her brother Tillman, to tell them she was ready to fall asleep and wake up in the arms of Jesus. This was a precious gift to her family as they heard their sweet Mama’s voice say again, I love you.

Ten days later, on Sunday, September 29th at 11:25 PM, with her family by side, Patsy took her final breath in this life and her next breath in Heaven. She stepped into Heaven and into the presence of the Lord. Her Lord and Savior welcomed her with a “Well Done, Patsy”, Her Vern and her parents, her brother Junior, and her sister Liz and so many more gave her a big smile and hug and said, “Welcome to Heaven, Patsy!” Her remaining family, are heartbroken with grief but also celebrate with great assurance. We are confident, knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Patsy is gone from us, but not forever. Heaven is home for the people of God. A sweet family reunion awaits us and all who have put their trust and faith in the Lord Jesus.

Visitation will be held on August 7,11:00 am at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. John's Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL. Celebration Of Life August 7, 12:00 pm, at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. John's Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL. Committal Ceremony Oct 7 at Chapel Hills Memory Gardens, 850 St. John's Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL