Dorothy L. Crocker

Dorothy was born in Coxburg, Mississippi to James Carlile Josey and LeNoir Cox Josey. She spent part of her childhood in Tibbee, Mississippi, and then moved with her family to Greenwood, Mississippi. She graduated from Greenwood High School and went on to build a life rooted in faith, family, and resilience.

She met her husband, James Harold Crocker, at a high school dance and married in 1951, beginning a lifelong partnership. In 1963, Dorothy and James moved to Greenville, Mississippi where he worked for South Central Bell. Dorothy later graduated from Delta State University and then earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Mississippi School of Law, an achievement she carried with quiet confidence throughout her life.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, James Harold Crocker; her daughter, Patricia Smith; her sister, Virginia Bush (Kenneth); her sister, LeNoir’s husband, Tom Booth; and her parents.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Peneguy (James); her daughter, Patricia’s husband, Charles Smith; and her sister, LeNoir Booth.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Amy Smith-Carroll (Brett); Stacie Griggs (Brian); Christopher Peneguy (Abigail); and Jessica Morein (Dwayne).

Her great-grandchildren include Colby Smith (Hannah); Cameron Carroll; Ethan Sappington; Ollie Griggs; Neely Bass (John Allen); Isabella Peneguy; Hannah LeNoir Peneguy; Camille Peneguy; James Morein; and Emmaleigh Morein.

Dorothy is also survived by extended family who meant a great deal to her, including the children and grandchildren of her sister Virginia Bush: Ginny Lynn Matthews (Jason), Bailey Davis (Turner), and Mallory White (Jake); Virginia’s son, Bradley Bush (Jennifer), and their children Katherine Bush and Trey Bush; and her sister, LeNoir’s son, Steven Booth.

Dorothy was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, an attorney, and a friend to many. She was fiercely independent, outgoing, and full of life. She loved her family with an intensity that rivaled the sun and delighted in keeping up with everyone and all they were doing. She loved playing bridge and remained sharp, engaged, and competitive throughout her life. There was little that could knock her down that she could not come back from stronger.

In her passing, Dorothy showed the depth of her faith. She trusted in Christ’s promise, believing the words of Scripture that, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you,” confident that she would be reunited with her husband, her daughter, and the family members who went before her.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, Mississippi.