Obituary of Edna Croley

Edna Creekmore Croley passed away on December 20, 2023. Born October 4, 1926, she was the third child of Walter and Cewall Creekmore. Edna was preceded in death by Harold Croley, her husband of 62 years. She is survived by her four children Betty Soucy of Venice Florida, Harold (Butch) of Laura, Ohio, Anita Blair of Dayton, Ohio, and Susan Rice of Dayton, Ohio; her sister Jeanne Nunnally of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren James Christopher Appleton, Tiffany Stephan, Erin Suisham, Stephanie Pfeiffer, Sheila Westfall, Angie Greaney and Jennifer Rice; nieces Brenda Ball and Becky Nunnally; nephews Rick Gragg and David Gragg; cherished family members Dr. Jordan Voght, Jamie and Matt Gragg, Jim Hamby and Cherrie Gazaway; and eight great-grandchildren. After leaving high school and turning eighteen, Edna worked at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee plant during World War II while her husband was serving in the US Navy. She and her sister, Ruth, rode a provided bus to and from the facility, were subject to inspections, and required to wear badges. The plant was a top secret facility involved in uranium for the atomic bomb. They were told not to speak of their jobs (Loose lips sink ships.) Later in life, many of the workers were diagnosed with different types of cancer, as were Edna and Ruth. After the war and following the birth of their first child, Edna and Harold moved to Ohio for work and raised their family there. Edna was a loving mother and homemaker. After their youngest started school, Edna worked for fifteen years in the Uniform Department at Good Samaritan Hospital. Edna and Harold retired to Port Charlotte, Florida and built their home. Edna enjoyed cooking, gardening and tending her fruit trees, boating, taking art and other classes at a local cultural center and visits from her children and family. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Edna was proud to get her GED diploma (She had been a credit short of graduating.) For their fiftieth wedding anniversary, they took a cruise to Hawaii. The family will receive visitors at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home on December 29, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a service, graveside burial and reception.