Obituary for Earl L. McCroy
Earl McCroy was born on August 7, 1940 in Gholson, MS. He was the tenth of twelve children born to
Oscar and Missouri McCroy.
Earl accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church in Gholson Mississippi.
Earl received his early education in Kemper County schools in Mississippi and attended high school in
Omaha Nebraska.
Earl made his home in Chicago where he met and married the late Gloria McCroy. One child was born to
this union. He later married his loving wife Mary McCroy and they shared three children.
He was a dedicated employee and union steward who retired from National Castings after more than 40
years. He was also an entrepreneur. He owned and operated E & L Lounge on Chicago's west side for
several years.
Earl was an active member of Western Light Lodge No. 30, Prince Hall Affiliate for more than 30 years.
He was also a Past Master. He forged many friendships with some wonderful men through his affiliation.
Earl took great pride in his appearance. He was a sharp dresser who wouldn't dare wear a suit without a
matching hat. He was always picture ready. The only thing sharper than his clothes was his memory. He
could easily recall details of events that happened decades before. He never forgot a name or face.
Earl was a walking contradiction. He was a quiet man yet he spoke volumes with his silence. He was
simultaneously very generous and very frugal. He was a music lover. His favorites were Doo-Wop, Motown
and gospel quartet music, but he never danced. He loved hearing from his family and friends (and some-
times complained when we didn't call) yet he really wasn't a phone person at all and would often rush to
hang up. He didn't attend church much but he followed several television ministries every week. He was
known by his siblings as a "scaredy cat" but he would stand up to anyone to defend his family. He wasn't
one to say "I love you" yet you saw it in his eyes and felt it when he smiled.
Earl loved his siblings and extended family. He looked forward to annual reunions where he would be
surrounded by family. He was more like a father figure than an uncle to many of his nieces and nephews.
He was proud of and loved his children. Most of all he loved his grandchildren. Their Grandad never
disciplined them and never ever told them no.
Earl departed this life on April 3, 2020. He is preceded in death by: His parents, Oscar and Missouri;
brothers, Londy, Frank, Johnny, Oscar and Charles; sisters, Velma, Berniece, Ida, Cecile and Mary; sister in
law, Ruby; stepson, Erlan "Tip"; and a special friend, Ludia.
He leaves to cherish his memory: His children, Gayle, Adrick "Smooney" (Keondra) and Nichol; grand-
children, Jaylen, Willie, Kendrick, Kaitlyn, Lauren and Elias; sister, Mamie Lois; former wife and faithful
friend, Mary McCroy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, lodge brothers and friends.
~Unknown
Our Grandfather kept a garden,
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.
He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem.
And then the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.
His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last a lifetime long.
We are our Grandfather’s garden, We are his legacy.
Thank you Grandfather, we love you.
~Love you Grandad, Kaitlyn & Lauren
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue
You’re the McCroy’s muscle,
And we ALL LOVE YOU
We’ll keep your legacy alive Grandad,
~Kendrick
Dad,
I am often told I am just like you.
I am honored beyond measure if that is true.
You were the best example
of what a man should be.
I am overwhelmed that someone
would say that of me.
I never told you enough,
how proud I am to be called your son,
Now that you are gone,
I want to tell everyone.
You gave me much more than a name,
Someday, I hope my son says the same.
~Love you Dada, Smooney
Dear God,
I gratefully thank you for giving me my dad.
You must really love me, 'cause you gave the best you had.
Watch over him & bless him Lord and keep him in Your care.
And may he feel my love for him, is my humble, heartfelt prayer.
I love you Dada, and I’m going to miss you so much,
~Gayle and Nicky
Musical Prelude ....................................................................................... Jarrod Dailey, Min. of Music
Greater St. John Bible Church
Processional .......................................................................................................... Family & Ministers
Scripture ............................................................................................................... Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Prayer .................................................................................................................. Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Selection ............................................................................................................... Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................
Remarks ............................................................................................................... Family and Friends
Obituary Reading ............................................................................................................................
Selection ............................................................................................................... Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Eulogy ................................................................................................................ Rev. James Dodd III
Sure Foundation MB Church
Reviewal .........................................................................................................................................
Benediction ......................................................................................................... Rev. James Dodd III
Sure Foundation MB Church
Recessional ........................................................................................................... Family & Ministers
Interment - Oakridge Cemetery ....................................................... 4301 W. Roosevelt Rd., Hillside, IL
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Wake: 10:00 a.m. Funeral: 12:30 p.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60644
Rev. James Dodd III, Officiating
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be
no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain;
for the former things are passed away.
~Revelation 21:4
Oscar and Missouri McCroy.
Earl accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church in Gholson Mississippi.
Earl received his early education in Kemper County schools in Mississippi and attended high school in
Omaha Nebraska.
Earl made his home in Chicago where he met and married the late Gloria McCroy. One child was born to
this union. He later married his loving wife Mary McCroy and they shared three children.
He was a dedicated employee and union steward who retired from National Castings after more than 40
years. He was also an entrepreneur. He owned and operated E & L Lounge on Chicago's west side for
several years.
Earl was an active member of Western Light Lodge No. 30, Prince Hall Affiliate for more than 30 years.
He was also a Past Master. He forged many friendships with some wonderful men through his affiliation.
Earl took great pride in his appearance. He was a sharp dresser who wouldn't dare wear a suit without a
matching hat. He was always picture ready. The only thing sharper than his clothes was his memory. He
could easily recall details of events that happened decades before. He never forgot a name or face.
Earl was a walking contradiction. He was a quiet man yet he spoke volumes with his silence. He was
simultaneously very generous and very frugal. He was a music lover. His favorites were Doo-Wop, Motown
and gospel quartet music, but he never danced. He loved hearing from his family and friends (and some-
times complained when we didn't call) yet he really wasn't a phone person at all and would often rush to
hang up. He didn't attend church much but he followed several television ministries every week. He was
known by his siblings as a "scaredy cat" but he would stand up to anyone to defend his family. He wasn't
one to say "I love you" yet you saw it in his eyes and felt it when he smiled.
Earl loved his siblings and extended family. He looked forward to annual reunions where he would be
surrounded by family. He was more like a father figure than an uncle to many of his nieces and nephews.
He was proud of and loved his children. Most of all he loved his grandchildren. Their Grandad never
disciplined them and never ever told them no.
Earl departed this life on April 3, 2020. He is preceded in death by: His parents, Oscar and Missouri;
brothers, Londy, Frank, Johnny, Oscar and Charles; sisters, Velma, Berniece, Ida, Cecile and Mary; sister in
law, Ruby; stepson, Erlan "Tip"; and a special friend, Ludia.
He leaves to cherish his memory: His children, Gayle, Adrick "Smooney" (Keondra) and Nichol; grand-
children, Jaylen, Willie, Kendrick, Kaitlyn, Lauren and Elias; sister, Mamie Lois; former wife and faithful
friend, Mary McCroy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, lodge brothers and friends.
~Unknown
Our Grandfather kept a garden,
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.
He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem.
And then the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.
His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last a lifetime long.
We are our Grandfather’s garden, We are his legacy.
Thank you Grandfather, we love you.
~Love you Grandad, Kaitlyn & Lauren
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue
You’re the McCroy’s muscle,
And we ALL LOVE YOU
We’ll keep your legacy alive Grandad,
~Kendrick
Dad,
I am often told I am just like you.
I am honored beyond measure if that is true.
You were the best example
of what a man should be.
I am overwhelmed that someone
would say that of me.
I never told you enough,
how proud I am to be called your son,
Now that you are gone,
I want to tell everyone.
You gave me much more than a name,
Someday, I hope my son says the same.
~Love you Dada, Smooney
Dear God,
I gratefully thank you for giving me my dad.
You must really love me, 'cause you gave the best you had.
Watch over him & bless him Lord and keep him in Your care.
And may he feel my love for him, is my humble, heartfelt prayer.
I love you Dada, and I’m going to miss you so much,
~Gayle and Nicky
Musical Prelude ....................................................................................... Jarrod Dailey, Min. of Music
Greater St. John Bible Church
Processional .......................................................................................................... Family & Ministers
Scripture ............................................................................................................... Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Prayer .................................................................................................................. Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Selection ............................................................................................................... Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................
Remarks ............................................................................................................... Family and Friends
Obituary Reading ............................................................................................................................
Selection ............................................................................................................... Pastor Ira J. Acree
Greater St. John Bible Church
Eulogy ................................................................................................................ Rev. James Dodd III
Sure Foundation MB Church
Reviewal .........................................................................................................................................
Benediction ......................................................................................................... Rev. James Dodd III
Sure Foundation MB Church
Recessional ........................................................................................................... Family & Ministers
Interment - Oakridge Cemetery ....................................................... 4301 W. Roosevelt Rd., Hillside, IL
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Wake: 10:00 a.m. Funeral: 12:30 p.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60644
Rev. James Dodd III, Officiating
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be
no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain;
for the former things are passed away.
~Revelation 21:4