On the tenth of December, 2023, Bruce Edward Crowe peacefully passed at his home at the age of 102 to the sounds of show horses and coon dogs trumpeting his arrival into eternity. His beloved wife of 73 years was awaiting his embrace.
A simple man with plain tastes, yet a brilliant man with keen insight into horses, dogs and people. His active and positive sense of self, carried him far and successfully into the world.
Bruce or Shorty as he was appropriately nicknamed for his stature of 5’ 6”, was born on September 22, 1921 in the Thrasher community of Prentiss County. He was one of eight children born to Clyde and Dessie Crowe. His siblings included; Maxine Crowe, Junior Crowe Hendrix, Billy Crowe, Jack Crowe, Howard Crowe, Gene Crowe and Merle Crowe.
Bruce remembered paying a nickel for a coke and working for $1.50 for a weeks pay. His first car was a Model A with a rumble seat.
Bruce started school in a covered wagon and attended Wayside Grade School, where one teacher taught first through eighth grade. He completed eighth grade at Hickory Flat.
On December 14, 1940, Bruce, age 19, married his 16 year old sweetheart, Geneva Brackeen. The ceremony was held in Iuka at the home of the county’s Justice of the Peace. 73 years later their marriage boasted five children, Vernon (Pete) Crowe, Ellis Crowe, Hellen Adair, Barbara Lowery, and Janet Young. From these children came seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Three sets of five generations are represented at family gatherings. Wow!
Bruce and Geneva attended Kemp’s Chapel Church and raised their children there.
U.S. Army PFC Bruce Crowe was a mere 20 when his boots melted in Hiroshima, Japan, as a result of the radiation when the United States dropped an atomic bomb. The Japanese military had bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. “I went to Camp Shelby I trained for war, I fought the best I could, staying in service for over a year, and then I came home”, he said at an event honoring him at his Rienzi home on a Sunday afternoon, in April 2023. The World War II Veteran split his time in Asia between the island nation and the Philippines. “When he went into the war, he was in the thick of it,” said Veteran’s Affairs Executive Legislative Liaison, Chris Ellis. The 101 year old veteran was presented with a proclamation honoring him from state representatives and senators. The Veteran’s Affairs honored Crowe with a VA World War II Metal of Honor and American Flag flown by the agency. Crowe is believed to be one of the las WWII Veterans in Alcorn County as well as one of the last few in Northeast MS.
Bruce’s employment history is varied, but oh so interesting. He once delivered blocks of ice to people’s homes weekly for the purpose of cooling their perishable foods. Remember, there was no refrigeration! He hauled chunks of coal, which people used for heat. He worked at a saw mill where he invented a chain and pulley system to unload logs into the train. In addition, he served as a night watchmen at a clothing factory and managed the Oasis Service Station in Rienzi for 27 years.
Bruce’s hobbies included horses, dogs, and dancing. In fact, his love and passion for horses earned him the reputation as Rienzi’s finest horse trainer. The horses he trained were consistent show horse winners. In addition to the horses, Bruce owned a beautiful Amish buggy, which carried him and Geneva to the annual Rienzi Christmas parade for many decades. Bruce often drove the star of the parade, Old Santa Clause himself! December 2019 the citizens of Rienzi honored Bruce Crowe as their Grand Marshal. Bruce coon hunted for 68 years. He learned as he followed in the steps of his grandfather who followed the glow of a carbide lantern used to light their pathway. As late as 2023, Bruce could be seen riding his red Honda 4 wheeler in order to distribute corn to the surrounding coons on the land he had owned for over 70 years. Square dancing was a weekly event for Bruce and Geneva. They especially loved to dance at the surrounding VFW’s and wear their matching outfits which Geneva had so skillfully sewn.
A celebration of life will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at McMillan Funeral Home with Bro. Jerry Kelly officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at the funeral home. Graveside services with Military honors will held at Sardis Cemetery. Burial will be in the Sardis Cemetery.
He is survived by his children; Ellis Crowe (Glenda) of Rienzi, MS, Hellen Adair (Tom Craig) of Saltillo, MS, Barbara Lowery of Booneville, MS and Janet Young (Mike) of Corinth, MS; Brothers, Howard Crowe of Jacksonville, FL; Gene Crowe of Naperville, IL and Merle Crowe (Madine) of Rienzi, MS; Daughter-in-law, Jodie Crowe of Rienzi, MS; grandchildren, David Lancaster, Nina Jones, Bruce Dodds, Shane Crowe, Pam Wills and Pat Crowe; 12 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Dessie Crowe; his wife, Geneva Crowe; two sisters, Maxine Crowe and Junior Crowe Hendrix; a son, Vernon Crowe; two brothers, Billy Crowe and Jack Crowe; his grandson, Timothy Edward Crowe; and son-in-law, Dillard Lowery.
A very special note of appreciation to the Gentiva Hospice Staff and his caregiver of nine years Caffie Bishop.
Pallbearers will be Shane Crowe, Sean Tyler Crowe, Pat Crowe, Bruce Dodds, Tanner Dodds, Logan Jones, David Lancaster, Dylan Lancaster, Matt Jones, Forrest Crowe and David Thornton.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be sent to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com
