Dorothy "Bea" B. Cromer

Bea grew up with her parents, 2 older sisters, and 1 brother. She met her husband of 76 years, Ted Cromer at church in Muskogee OK. It was love at first sight for them. The two were married on Christmas Eve 1942, followed by Daughter Tedi Cromer in 1944, Janis Cromer-Sauls in 1946, and then surprised later in life with Dehru Cromer in 1970.

Bea and Ted raised both daughters in Oklahoma. While Ted served in the Navy during WWII, Bea served our nation as Rosie the Riveter. After the war they both graduated Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Together they pastored several small churches before being appointed missionaries to Liberia, West Africa where they served for 17 years.

After leaving Africa, they continued their ministry in Texas. Bea worked for the Baptist Standard before retirement to Tennessee, where she was a member of Northside Baptist Church, Murfreesboro.

Bea was known for unconditional love. She was always happy, cheerful and quick to compliment everyone she met. In her later years she loved to bowl, play cards with her family, and cheer for her favorite team the Dallas Cowboys. At age 92, Bea received silver and bronze medals in bowling at the National Senior Olympics in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Bea is preceded in death by her husband Ted and daughter Tedi. And survived by her son Dehru ( and wife Muezetta ) and daughter Janis Sauls ( and husband Chet Sauls ), 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the International Mission Board ( https://www.imb.org/generosity/ ) and/or Alzheimers Association ( https://act.alz.org/ ).

A Graveside service for Bea will be held Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 5350 NW Broad Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.

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