Thomas W. Crofts

Published 2:59 am Sunday, April 17, 2011

Nov. 23, 1939 — April 14, 2011

PFAFFTOWN, N.C. — Services and military honors for Thomas W. Crofts, 71, who died Thursday, April 14, 2011, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, N.C., will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hopewell United Methodist Church in Crosby.

Visitation will be at 6 to 7 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Rural Hall, N.C.

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Crofts was born Nov. 23, 1939, Thanksgiving Day, in Rock Springs, Wyo., the son of Clyde and Elizabeth Nelson Crofts.

Thomas graduated from Rock Springs High School and served his country in the United States Air Force. He retired to the city of Winston-Salem and was a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church. His greatest joy in life was helping and doing for others. Even in death, he is still helping people by being an organ donor.

Crofts was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Clyde Crofts Jr.; and two sisters, Betty Evans and Elsie Mae Hiner.

Survivors include former wife, Rosie Odell of North Carolina; a sister, Clara Simmons of Arizona; five brothers-in-law, Noce Evans of Oklahoma, John Murray and wife Carol of California, Rodney Murray and wife Cathy, Ben Murray and wife Linda and Malcolm Murray and wife Linda, all of Mississippi; four sisters-in-law, Barbara Coleman and husband Ken of North Carolina, Jacqueline Lambert and husband Lester, Debbie Weaver and husband Jeff and Margie Murray, all of Mississippi; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion Post 290 at P.O. Box 432, King, NC 27021.

The family would like to thank special friends, Bryanna Johnson and Candice Barnes, and neighbors, Howard and Betty Lasley and Vickie Wilson, for all the acts of kindness shown to him before and during his illness. Also, to his former wife, best friend and caregiver Rose Crofts for taking care of him during his entire illness.