John & Ruth Crocker

Mr. John Wayne Crocker and Mrs. Ruth Ann Humphrey Crocker, passed away Monday, July 6, 2026. John was born June 8, 1943 in Big Spring, Texas to the late Howard Virdo Crocker and Lona Mae Bennett Crocker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Sonny Crocker; and sisters, Malinda Crocker, Ann Crocker, and Bettie Jean Crocker. Ruth was born January 19, 1950 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Harry Ray Humphrey and Virginia Lee Martin Humphrey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gary Humphrey. John and Ruth met in college while in Texas and have been happily married for over 52 years. They were active members of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church of Statesville, and of Union Grove Baptist Church of Yadkinville. They were avid gardeners, always raising a healthy crop of fruits and veggies to share with their friends and family. John developed a love of cars in West Texas, drag racing in his early years. He was a classic pianist, loved riding motorcycles, and always spent time tinkering on classic cars. John also had a private pilot’s license and the love of flying led to him building and flying his own single person plane from a kit. Ruth loved music, and dancing, and was herself a very talented musician with her preferred instrument being the fiddle, and she also loved the sounds of the acoustic guitar and native flute. As an Elementary Montessori school teacher Ruth spent her career working with children. Her passion was her horses and she had been riding them, even bareback, from a very young age. She also always enjoyed tending to her flower beds, sewing, canning, and she loved cooking and baking for her family. John and Ruth dearly loved and appreciated their Church and YMCA families, as well as their many nieces and nephews and extended family. John and Ruth’s greatest love was spending time together with their boys. John and Ruth are survived by their sons, Jonathan Crocker, Jeremy (Samantha) Crocker; Ruth’s sister, Diana (Ken) Phelps; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends, Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at Union Grove Baptist Church, exact times are still to be determined. A service to celebrate their lives will follow the visitation at the church with Rev. Kenny Gooden officiating. A private family burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers please feel free to honor John and Ruth with a donation to one of their favorite charities: Friends of a Legacy; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Save the Children; Southwest Indian Foundation.

Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Crocker family.