Earl M. Crooks

Earl M. Crooks, 85, of Lake James, NC died Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at his residence. Born June 15, 1926 in McDowell County, NC, he was a son of the late John Cuba Crooks and Ethel Williams Crooks. He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Earl was a US Army Veteran and served in Italy during World War II. He was a retired homebuilder; most of all a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who devoted his life to his family.Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife, Muriel Daniels Crooks of the home; a son, Garry Crooks and wife, Debby of Lake James; a daughter, Kathy Justice of Winston-Salem, NC; grandsons, Travis Crooks and wife, Clarissa of Lake James, Dustin Crooks of Charleston, SC, and Logan Crooks of Lake James; granddaughter, Sheila Parks and husband, David of Kernersville, NC; great-grandchildren, Blaikley Crooks, Holden Parks, and Riley Parks; brothers, John Crooks, Jr. and wife, Bell of Morganton, Jim Crooks and wife, Dorothy of Lake James, and Carl Crooks and wife, Alice of Hildebran; sisters, Louise Stamey of Glen Alpine, Anna Laura Jaynes and husband, Carroll of Charleston, TN, Mary-Martha Cooper and husband, Cleve of Valdese, and Nancy Newton of Morganton. He is also survived by his step-mother, Mary Crooks of Charleston, TN.In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by sisters, Naomi Johnson and Pauline YanceyFuneral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, October 28, 2011 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with Rev. Josh Edwards officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. The graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, 1065 Paddy?s Creek Rd., Nebo, NC 28761.