Minister Marie Croom

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” — II Timothy 4:7-8

The life of great servant Minister Marie Croom began June 8, 1933, born to Deoders and Margret Smith in Uniontown, Alabama. She was the eighth of ten children. While in Uniontown she attended the Uniontown public school system through the seventh grade. At the age of twelve in 1943, Marie was filled with the Holy Ghost, and from the many times she told this story, her exact words were, “I done died once, and I ain’t gonna die no more,, and she ran all through the town telling everybody about her experience. 

In 1952, Marie relocated to Columbus, Ohio, with her brother, Sam Smith, and in 1954, she married the love of her life, Mr. Jessie Croom.  They were married 46 years before Mr. Croom transitioned from labor to reward.

Mrs. Croom was graced to work for the family-owned restaurant Shelton’s where she worked as a cook for many years. She also worked at the Forest Park Inn. She later opened her own business, the Hamburger Shop on South Ohio and later the Fish Market on Mock Road. Marie and Mary were the proprietors of a family-owned catering service BBC (Baker, Brooks, Croom). Marie, affectionally called “Mrs. Croom,” was employed at the Columbus public school system as a custodian for 26 Years which is from where she retired.

Marie was a faithful member of the Consolidated Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Arnold and later the late Reverend Cecil Alston. Mother Croom was the Senior Choir President, where she was loved and supported by all. In 1981, she decided to work with Reverend Cecil Alston and several others to establish the New Palestine Baptist Church in the home of Sister Helen Johnson. With her help and business knowledge, she secured the location for the church at 1712 Cleveland Avenue. She and her mother, Margret Smith, made sure that the church was taken care of. She took the lead to ensure that the paneling was hung, and on her hands and knees, she laid the tile on the floor. She conducted fundraisers, along with her mother, asking every person that came by to help the church. They were able to purchase benches and all church furniture.

At the passing of Reverend Alston, she continued to serve as a trustee and treasurer under the late Reverend Richard Bridges. At his passing, she orchestrated the pastoral search, that concluded with the installation of her nephew, Pastor Rickey C. Baker, Sr., as the pastor. It was under this leadership that the church secured some property with the intentions to build and later decided to buy a freestanding facility located at 1000 E. Hudson Street. Mother Croom, with her wisdom, was able to lead the church to its mortgage burning. Mother Croom served faithfully
for over 30 years until her health no longer would allow. Mother Croom was known for her ability to raise a good offering and sing until the power fell. Some of her songs, to name a few, were “I’m Just Holding On,” “Won’t Have to Cry No More,” “Trouble in My Way,” “Kept on Searching,” and “On Time God.”

Mother Croom accepted her call to the ministry and in her words, became “the Lord’s messenger-carrier.” In April of 2004, she, along with her daughter and great-nephew, were licensed as ministers in the Lord’s Church.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Deodus and Margret Smith; husband, Jessie Croom; son, William Croom; siblings, Willie (Annie)
Smith, Sam (Georgia) Smith, Wilbert Smith, Johnny (Emma) Smith, Charlie (Evelyn) Smith, David Smith, and Alonzo Smith; and son-in-love, Harold Brooks.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Anne Brooks, Curtis (Judy) Croom, Dion (Kezia) Croom, Earlean (Walter Sr.) Morgan, and Maria Watson; only sister, Mary Baker; brother, Clarence Smith; sisters-in-law, Margret Smith and Dorothy Smith; grandchildren, Walter J. (Jackie) Morgan, Jene (Justin) Grey, Ashlee Brooks, Amber Croom, William (Kalantra) Croom, Chelsie Croom, Dion Croom, Jr., Alexis Croom, Cedric Croom, and Nilah Watson; Special Nieces: Toyan Johnson (California) and Angela Hannah aka Dumplin (Cleveland). godsons, Dennis Bourne and Bart Clayton; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends including, Connie Graves and Shirley Davis.

The Life of Our Matriarch Marie Croom

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