Ida Mae Crocker

Mrs. Ida Mae Bamberg Crocker, 92, a homemaker, passed away on December 30, 2021. She was born on July 8, 1929, in the Heiberger community in Perry County, Alabama, the daughter of the late Watson Clifford Bamberg, Sr. and Elma Sims Bamberg. She was the wife of Bro. Calvin J. Crocker of Montevallo, Alabama.

A 1948 graduate of Perry County High School, Ida Mae was a loving wife and mother, a great cook, an expert gardener, a skilled seamstress, and, most importantly, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. From an early age she professed her faith. She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Heiberger until she left home and moved to Birmingham for work. There she met her future husband, and they moved to north Chilton County in 1956 with their young family. When Calvin became a bivocational minister, Ida Mae was his true partner as she encouraged and enabled him to study for many years through Howard Extension (part of Samford University), while he was both pastoring and working multiple jobs. She worked diligently as they raised their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”; she maintained home and kept the family clothed, well-fed, and focused on a stable life in the midst of trying times and circumstances. Ida Mae served in various capacities including pianist, teacher, WMU director, and Vacation Bible School director, at churches in Chilton, Shelby, and Bibb Counties. Outside of home, she worked for several years as a substitute teacher and as a seamstress. She generously shared recipes, cooking tips, and even as recently as the week before her passing, sewing skills.

Mrs. Crocker is survived by her husband of over 70 years, Calvin J. Crocker; five children – Glenn Crocker (Melinda) of Huntsville, Joan Cooper (Kerry) of Montevallo, Janet Rogers (Jim) of Sulligent, Martha Strong (Chuck) of Montevallo, and Jack Crocker (Jill) of Jemison; five grandchildren – John Bennett, Rachel S. Mann (Jason), Dylan Crocker (Amber), Laura Strong, and Mason Crocker (Desiree); and five great-grandchildren – Dylannah, Hudson, Ava, Vivianne, and Remington; one sister – Neva Aiken of Mobile, AL; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Ida Mae was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Crocker; sisters, Bernice Bamberg, Annie Greenway, Mabel Bamberg, Irma Hobson, O’Neal Moore, and Sara Clements; and brothers, Clifford Bamberg, Gathon Bamberg, Floyd Bamberg, and Waymon Bamberg.

A visitation for Ida Mae will be held Saturday, January 1, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Rockco Funeral Home, 3715 Highway 25, Montevallo, Alabama 35115, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. Rev. Dennis Draper and Dr. Terry Sutton will officiate. She will be laid to rest in Montevallo City Cemetery, Montevallo, Alabama.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rockcofuneralmontevallo.com for the Crocker family.