Calvin Jackson Crocker

Rev. Calvin Jackson Crocker, 98, a bivocational minister, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2022. He was born on May 5, 1924, in a log cabin in the Mt. Olive community in Lawley (Perry County), Alabama. He was the son of the late George Carver Crocker and Jessie Mae (LeGal) Crocker. He and his wife raised their family in north Chilton County near Montevallo.

Calvin Crocker lived and worked diligently in service to his Lord and fellowman. Many in the Montevallo area knew him as their mailman; others knew him as pastor, preacher, co-worker, neighbor, and friend. His family and friends knew him to be a man who practiced what he preached, with joy, humility, self-discipline, and strength. He enjoyed working and often could be heard singing as he went about his chores, and shared his joy through a ready smile and innate courtesy. He treasured the family God gave him and considered himself “the richest man in the world”.

A 1943 graduate of Perry County High School, Mr. Crocker was a WWII veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, as Communications Radioman 2nd class. After returning home, he moved from Lawley to Birmingham, where he met and married Ida Mae Bamberg, also a native of Perry County, and made public his profession of faith in Christ. In December 1955 they moved to Chilton County, settling in “Dry Valley” and beginning to farm. They were active members of Providence Baptist Church, where Calvin made public his call to preach, and was ordained on November 30, 1958, at the request of Friendship Baptist Church, Lawley – his first pastorate. For the next five decades Bro. Crocker was active as a bivocational pastor in Chilton, Shelby, and Bibb Counties. In addition to farming, he worked a variety of jobs to support his family: Core room operator, school bus driver, night watchman, sawmill foreman, and finally postman in Montevallo until 1988. He demonstrated the importance of being a thinking Christian by daily study, family devotions, and higher education, earning Certificates in Christian Training from Howard Extension (Samford) in 1968 and 1975. Even while working long hours, he and Ida Mae together demonstrated that raising their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” was their first call, not an afterthought. The hymn “Work, for the Night is Coming” frequently made the point for all the family that work is part of the abundant life that God has given. Calvin resigned from his last pastorate, Third Baptist of Blocton, in 2004, but he never retired from the call to preach, and continued to be available to serve “as the Lord leads” the remainder of his earthly life.

Bro. Crocker was preceded in death by wife of over 70 years, Ida Mae (Bamberg) Crocker; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Crocker; his parents; his brothers Coleman Crocker and Dale Crocker; and sister Clara Foster.

Mr. Crocker is survived by five children - Glenn Crocker (Melinda) of Huntsville; Joan Crocker (Kerry Cooper) of West Jefferson, Janet Rogers (Jim) of Sulligent, Martha Strong (Chuck) of Montevallo; and Jack Crocker(Jill) of Jemison; grandchildren John Bennett, Rachel Mann (Jason), Dylan Crocker (Amber), Laura Strong, and Mason Crocker (Desiree); great-grandchildren Dylannah, Hudson, Ava, Vivi, and Remi; brother Elder Wayne Crocker (Brenda) and sister Wilma Thornhill; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family offers special thanks to the many caregivers from Expect Care of Alabaster and Heart of Compassion in Maplesville, who provided support at home for nearly two years.

This prayer, which Rev. Calvin Crocker used in his daily private study time, summarizes well the way he lived his life:

O God, keep our hearts sound, our lives pure, our thinking straight, and our spirits humble, that we may be true messengers of thy life to our fellow men; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

A visitation for Calvin will be held Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Rockco Funeral Home, 3715 Highway 25, Montevallo, Alabama 35115, followed by a funeral service at 12:30 PM.

Calvin will be laid to rest in Montevallo City Cemetery, Highway 73, Montevallo, Alabama.

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