Naomi R. Croft
Naomi R. Croft, 87, of West Decatur, died Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.
Naomi was born on April 13, 1935, in (British) Guyana, (now known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana), a daughter of the late Edward Everett “E.E.” and Eunice (Petry) Phillippe.
Naomi grew up in a missionary family; and when she graduated from high school they were stationed on the island of Antigua, in the West Indies. She furthered her education in the United States and received her bachelor’s degree from Frankfort Pilgrim Bible College, Frankfort, Indiana.
Naomi was married on August 25, 1956, in Frankfort, Indiana, to Rev. John L. Croft, who survives at home.
She is also survived by two daughters, Eunice Cox and her husband, Rev. Rick Cox, of Altoona and Dorcas Croft, of the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland); two sons, Rev. Robert J. Croft and his wife, Cindy, of Clearfield and Rev. John D. Croft and his wife, Shanda, of Port St. Lucie, Florida; eleven grandchildren: Rev. Rebecca Perry and her husband Rev. Graham Perry, Jon and Brittany Croft, David Croft, Rev. Richard Cox and his wife, Tonya, Timothy Cox, Trevor Cox, Isaiah Cox, Travis Croft, Brooke Leadingham and her husband, Rev. Jason Leadingham, Rachel Manring and her husband, Zech, and Mathias Croft; ten great-grandchildren; one sister, Esther Phillippe, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; one brother, Paul Phillippe and his wife, Sally, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and numerous other extended family members.
Naomi was preceded in death by one brother, Marcus Phillippe, in addition to her parents.
Naomi was a member of the Hyde Wesleyan Church. Throughout her life she has served in ministry with her husband. They pastored Wesleyan churches in Port Matilda, Pa, – Lavonia, MI – Ashland, KY and Ashland, PA. They also served as missionaries in Suriname, South America and two different terms in the Cayman Islands. She also lived in the Cayman Islands as a child when her parents served there as missionaries.
Naomi was a dedicated homemaker and fulfilled her life serving her Lord. She loved to read and spending time with her family was important to her. She taught piano lessons for many years and she had a beautiful singing voice. She was loved by everyone who knew her.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at 1 pm, at the Hyde Wesleyan Church, 1215 Riverview Road, Clearfield, Pa 16830, with Rev. Richard L. Cox, II, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church on Monday, May 30, 2022, from 5 to 8 pm, and on Tuesday from Noon until the time of the service.
Interment will be in Bradford Cemetery, Woodland.
Memorial contributions may be made in Naomi’s memory to the Hyde Wesleyan Church, 1215 Riverview Road, Clearfield, Pa 16830. Please earmark the contribution for the Emmanuel Bible College in Manzini, Eswatini.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.
