Rev. Dr. Joseph Washington Croom, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Washington Croom Jr. was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on August 2, 1929, to the late Rev. J.W. Croom Sr. and Mrs. Junie Cook Croom. He entered eternal rest on Monday, June 17, 2024. He was raised in Greensboro, Alabama, until moving to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1944 at age 14. He attended A. H. Parker High School, where he graduated in 1951, serving as Senior Class President. On November 19, 1951, he married the love of his life, Ellease Motley. They were married for almost 52 years and were blessed with two sons, Ronald Earl and Michael Ray. Rev. Croom worked for American Cast Iron Pipe Company for over 36 years, retiring in 1990.

In 1962, Joseph would follow in his father’s footsteps and answer God’s call into the ministry. He was first called to be pastor of the New Macedonia Baptist Church of Wenonah. However, after four months of service there, he was called and accepted the offer to be the pastor of theFirst Baptist Church East Boyles in Tarrant City, Alabama, where he served for eight years. Once again, God’s hand guiding him, he was called to be the pastor of the First Baptist Church Graymont on December 12, 1971. Rev. Croom served faithfully in this capacity for 47 years, retiring in December 2018.

Rev. Croom received his theological training at the Easonian Baptist Bible College, formerly the Birmingham Baptist Bible College, where he graduated in 1965. He also continued his religious education studies at Samford University, formerly Howard College. Because of his diligence in preaching the Word, teaching and counseling, advising and supporting those who were in need, and his work throughout the city of Birmingham and the state of Alabama, Rev. Croom was awarded an honorary doctorate from Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College. Rev. Croom also served as the first vice moderator of the Mt. Pilgrim District Association for 12 years under the leadership of Rev. William Greason. On June 27,2009, Rev. Croom was honored with the Centennial Trailblazer Award for being a great man of faith from the Metro Birmingham chapter of the NAACP.

Rev. Croom is preceded in death by his father, Rev. J.W. Croom Sr.; his mother, Mrs. Junie Cook Croom; his beloved wife, Ellease M. Croom; his son, Ronald Earl Croom; his brothers, John Croom, Charles Croom, Benjamin Croom, and Isaac Croom; and his sisters Mary Sue Petty and Annie Hall.

Rev. Croom is survived by his devoted son and daughter-in-law, Michael Ray and Cynthia Croom; nine grandchildren, Dr. Rollin Jackson (Akesha), St. Louis, Missouri; Renita Croom, Birmingham; Dr. Randall Croom (Kim), Deland, Florida; Brandon Croom (Alana), Birmingham; Dr. Lori Croom-Bush (Brenton), Birmingham; Elliot Croom (Shannon), Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Christine Croom, Nashville, Tennessee; Christopher Croom (Jenny) Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; and Alexandria Croom, Birmingham; daughter-in-law Gloria Croom, Irondale, Alabama; sister Lucy V. Boyd (James), Birmingham; sister-in-law Pearlie M. Croom, Birmingham; an incredibly special niece, Mary W. Wilson, Birmingham; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; adopted son and daughter Jimmie and Diane Pearson; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.