Mrs Virginia Merle Crosland

September 16, 1924 ~ May 16, 2015

Our precious mother, Virginia Merle Crosland, 90, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 16, 2015. She was born on September 16, 1924 in Lovelady, Texas to Beatrice Dauphin Gumm & Terry Gumm. For 66 years Merle was happily married to the love of her life, the late Harry G. Crosland. In 1947 Merle and Harry established Hollywood – Crawford Door Company in San Antonio, Texas. Merle also developed a business as an independent Shaklee distributor, which she managed for over 30+ years, earning numerous awards and traveling all over the world on trips she earned. Merle was active in every Baptist church of which she was a member in San Antonio, Rockport, and Portland, Texas. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and hosted countless showers and church functions. Her heart was always with the youth groups, and she was happiest teaching them crafts, and helping them become solid members of their church community. Merle was an avid hunter and fisherman. She instilled in all of us a love for nature and a respect for the beauty of God’s creation. She was an excellent cook as well as a seamstress, and passed all those skills along to her children. It never bothered her if someone showed up unexpectedly for a meal, she taught us to add a little more to the soup and pull up another chair. Everyone was always welcome to join us at our supper table. She accepted and loved people as they were. There were many who not only came to eat, but came to live in their home for a time. Merle never stopped serving the Lord her entire life. Her last service project was started at her retirement home. In 2009 she founded Crosses by Sea Gals, and began covering wood crosses with donated costume jewelry. All proceeds are donated to children’s charities. She is predeceased in death by her loving husband, Harry G. Crosland and her brother Kenneth Gumm. She is survived by her children, Malcolm Harry Crosland and his wife Linda, Connie Merle Hudgins and her husband Steve and Betty Jean Murry and her husband, Roy; grandchildren, Michelle Crosland Fuentes (and sons Aaron & Nick Walker), Lanny Crosland and wife Holly (and children Reese & Riley), Tobin Crosland and wife Stacy (and children Brooks, Hadley & Cage), Cody Crosland and wife Rachel (and sons Colton & Barret), Chandra Crosland Phillips and husband Tim (and son Graydon), Stephen Hudgins and wife Angie (and daughters Olivia, Abby, and Emma), Cyndi Hudgins Despault and husband Eric (and sons Aidan & Ethan), Todd Hudgins and wife Melina, Krystal Hudgins Levens (and son Logan), Alexandra & Elizabeth Murry, brother Terry B. Gumm and sister Louise Gleason, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she absolutely loved and adored.

Merle’s life celebration will be held Thursday, May 21st at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas. The viewing will be from 10:00-12:00 noon, service is at noon, with a reception following on site. There will be a private graveside service. We have set up a GiveForward.com account under the name Crosses by Sea Gals, the charity that Merle founded. In lieu of flowers, we would greatly appreciate donations to be given in her memory to continue her charitable work for children. We are filled with joy that she left us this legacy so that we can honor her by continuing the mission that she started. A service in memory of Merle will be held at Brookdale Northshore in Portland, Texas on Thursday, May 28th at 3:00 p.m.