Anna Faye Gerlits

Faye was born to Joseph Gilbert Cruit and Minnie Bell Cruit on January 7, 1945, in Mobile, Alabama. She was a graduate of Murphy High School, Class of 1963, and then went on to graduate from Business School in 1965. Faye worked for Smith-Kelly Lumber as a secretary from 1965-1976, the University of South Alabama Cancer Center as a medical office assistant from 1982-1985, and finally retired from the marketing department at Morrison’s, Inc. where she worked from 1986-1996.

Faye was a HUGE Alabama Fan, and she would try to get together with her son Andrew for every Alabama game possible to cheer on their favorite football team – memories Andrew will carry for the rest of his life. She loved dogs, especially Schnauzers (of which she had two, Jeb and Midnight). Faye enjoyed attending church regularly at The Community Life Center in Gulf Breeze, Alabama. Her greatest joy came from spending time with family and friends. Faye was a member of a Bunco group called “Gulf Coast Friends”, and was blessed with many lasting friendships.

Faye met Lawrence Gerlits “Larry” while they worked at the Morrison’s Home Office in Mobile. They fell in love and were married in 1996. They left Mobile and moved to Peachtree City, Georgia, then Navarre Beach, Florida, before finally retiring to Gulf Breeze, Florida. Faye and Larry loved to travel – they visited Hawaii, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, Italy, and Iowa to visit Larry’s family. Faye’s life was always her family, and she was always excited to spend time with her grandchildren: Cate, Caroline and Connor Gerlits.

Faye was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lawrence Gerlits; a son, Jeffrey Paul Colquett; parents, Joseph Gilbert Cruit and Minnie Bell Cruit; and siblings: Mildred Sadie Cruit, J.D. Cruit, Hayzel Cruit, Luvenia Cruit, Bobby Cruit, Geraldine Cruit, Elton Cruit, and Billy Glenn Cruit.

She is survived by her son, Andrew (Annie) Colquett; step-son, Daniel (Cherie) Gerlits; grandchildren, Connor Gerlits, Caroline Gerlits, and Cate Gerlits; as well as other cherished family and friends.

Visitation for Faye will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile, with a chapel service immediately following. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery.